How Long Should I Keep My Divorce Records?

Your divorce records may be a constant reminder of a negative time in your life. But even though you may want to move on from the past, this does not mean you should get rid of its evidence. That is, it is in your best interest to keep your divorce records out of sight and out of mind, rather than completely discarding them. Read on to discover how long you should hold onto your divorce records and how a seasoned Bergen County divorce attorney at McNerney & McAuliffe can help you handle this important paperwork properly.

How long should I save my divorce records after it is finalized?

As a rule of thumb, you should save your divorce records indefinitely, no matter how long it has been since the dissolution of your marriage was finalized. This is generally because these records include many key pieces of information, such as the case number for your divorce and the official date of your divorce. This may be in addition to the grounds for your divorce, the ruling made and incorporated into the judgment of your divorce, and more. It is also worth mentioning that your divorce decree may disclose your name change back to your maiden name if you specifically request this as part of your divorce proceedings.

Under what circumstances do I need proof of my divorce records?

To reiterate, the contents found within your divorce records may come in handy in a number of different scenarios. Just some examples read as follows:

• You may need your divorce documents as proof if you petition to legally change your last name back to your maiden name a little while after your divorce was finalized.
• You may need your divorce documents as proof to have your legally changed last name appear on your passport, driver’s license, credit cards, etc.
• You may need your divorce documents as proof of why you are formally petitioning to refinance your home or another large asset-based loan.
• You may need your divorce documents as proof if you and your former spouse disagree on what the settled divorce-related terms were.
• You may need your divorce documents as proof if you have plans to remarry in the state of New Jersey in the near future.

Understandably so, you may have realized too little too late that your divorce records are necessary to hold onto. So if you have accidentally discarded or misplaced these documents, you may rest easier knowing that you may still access them through the Superior Court of New Jersey Records Center.

In conclusion, there is no need to second-guess your decision to retain the services of a competent Bergen County family law attorney. This is because we can guarantee that someone from McNerney & McAuliffe will have your back through every step of the process.