Tips To Prepare Divorce Expense Worksheet

By Diane Sanders


A divorce is an option most spouses choose in the event of marital problems such as infidelity or domestic violence. Although separation seems to be the only solution to marital conflicts, the process itself is stressful. It involves court proceedings, where the court determines splitting of assets. For the court to determine the distribution of assets, it requires a divorce expense worksheet presented by spouses. The court will use the worksheet to decide if one spouse needs financial support, alimony or child support.

Understanding the entire process of creating budgets during separation is the first step to making wise decisions. Courts utilize worksheets to decide the amount of money a spouse should give as child support and alimony. That is why individuals prepare expenditure reports to help courts make a wise ruling. Detailed financial reports are written in spreadsheets which separate income and expenditure in columns. Both spouses work on personal financial reports and present them in court as required by law.

Individuals are required to submit financial reports during hearings of separation cases. Financial reports can be written on a piece of paper or spreadsheets. A spreadsheet is a computer software designed to calculate costs based on the needs of an individual. Since your separation expense spreadsheet involves basic calculations, you only need to use simple formulas like addition and subtraction. Ease of use and accuracy are some of the reasons people choose spreadsheets.

Preparing a financial report is not easy especially for anyone going through a separation. However, one must overcome emotional ties when creating worksheets. Pay attention to important matters like your source of income. The court requires details on how you earn finances. It is difficult to keep track of your income sources if you have been employed many times. Use your income tax report to identify income sources you have relied on for at least three years.

Write down individual tax returns on the spreadsheet. It is natural for spouses to file tax returns jointly. Keep in mind, tax returns will be filed separately after marriage annulment. If you are unemployed, avoid listing sources of income until you can confirm steady flow of income. If you are already separated and receive financial support in form of alimony or child support from your spouse, make sure to list the amount.

Your expenditure history is an important factor to consider before submitting a financial report to the court. Write down the amount of cash you spend on various things such as insurance, utility bills, and mortgage. Other expenses such as gym membership, entertainment or vacations should be listed. Remember, you can choose to forego extra expenses for some time to reduce your expenditure.

Add all your expenses including the ones you have decided to cut off. Find out how much you spend on permanent expenses only. This means you add all your permanent expenses then calculate extra expenses to get the difference. If you spend more than your earnings, consider cutting off items that you do not need.

Stick to the budget to increase the chances of becoming financially stable. Although it is not easy to stick to a strict budget, the effort is worthwhile. Seek professional assistance if you feel incapable of handling an expense worksheet. Hiring a good lawyer is the best option to ensure your separation case is well handled according to law requirements.




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