Help! Has anyone ever had to do an inventory for a divorce?

[Sweet Freedom]

My mediation is tomorrow and I've been trudging through the 50+ pages of paperwork for this since Friday. All I have left to do is the physical inventory and I'm confused (and my lawyer didn't answer my questions, so now it's after-hours and I'm on my own.)

Do I just include furniture, jewelry and appliances or do I count down to every fork, book and T-shirt? Also, do I include my child's possessions or do those belong to her?

BTW: I'm in Texas.

Thanks!!!!! :hi:

[Botany]

1. Call your lawyer .... this is what he/she gets paid for.

Tell him/her you need some answers ASAP.

[angstlessk]

2. feel sorry for ya...who will move to the place where the possessions reside???

if she does, I would include the dust under the couch...if you do...just the big items...just sayin??

[Sweet Freedom]

25. It's already divided. This is just the legal mumbo-jumbo part /nt

[lost-in-nj]

3. I am just starting this process

I cannot believe the crap they ask....

:hug:

good luck
wish I had answers for you......

lost

[Sweet Freedom]

24. It's long and difficult, but

it doesn't last forever. Don't know if you have kids, but I've found if everything I do is in their best interest, I can't do any wrong. :)

Good luck to you.

[Stephanie]

4. Check the website of your local court district

Check the court's website for forms and instructions. There might be an instruction book there to guide you, especially if you're filling out standard forms.

[Sweet Freedom]

10. Thanks, but I can't really find anything specific

I can find great detail about everything else -- the property, retirement funds, separate property, etc. but no details about the inventory list.

[supernova]

Depends on your state

and how much physical "baggage" you want to take with you. I would just say the good flat ware or the good china goes to you or him, whichever you want. No need to divide up sets individually, but that's just me. I left our Wedgewood with my ex because his mother bought it for us. I didn't particularly care for it either, but she wanted to do that so I let her.

But yeah, I'd call them (you will pay of course) but if you need the answer... :shrug:

The definitions of this stuff really vary by state.

[AspenRose]

5. Did your lawyer give you an outline or form to go by?

Former family law paralegal here. Call your lawyer...ask if s/he has an outline you could use.

[Sweet Freedom]

12. Her office is closed, so I can't call. :(

The form I have says Separate Assets of the Wife. It does list some specifics (such as jewelry) but I'm just not sure how specific I need to get. I think at this point, I'll be general and just keep in mind "$100 worth of miscellaneous crap in the kitchen" :)

[monmouth]

6. Just label "household"

items for family of _____, x rooms of furniture, etc. Don't get too specific. Do not name jewelry, furs or any "gifts" that were given to you. They're yours and if your spouse wants to go after anything belong to your child, well....... Hope you do okay on this, it's a grind and a real PIA. Much good luck to you..

[unhappycamper]

7. Only include what are your assets.

Your children's assesses belong to your children. You may get questioned on that, but it's pretty straight-forward.

[Sweet Freedom]

14. Thank you! That helps. :) /nt

[BuyingThyme]

8. I don't know, but congratulations.

I hope it goes as well as to be expected.

:hi:

P.S. "Miscellaneous" always seems to go a long way.

[Jersey Devil]

9. An inventory should not be necessary

Look, most spouses, even if they hate each other's guts, can agree on who gets the couch, lamps, etc. You'll find that out in mediation. You either agree or pay your lawyer $200-$300 per hour to fight over a $50 lamp, your choice.

[Sweet Freedom]

15. We have to do this for the court.

We've actually already divided the property and agreed that what's mine is mine and what's his is his. I guess we have to show that legally it was divided fairly.

[kas125]

26. Hopefully, since it's already been divided, that's all that matters.

When we did it a couple years ago here, the judge asked if there were any assets or property that we didn't agree about, if there were she'd have tried to settle the dispute, but when we said we had already agreed about how to divide everything, that was that. We didn't have to list anything at all since there was nothing being disputed.

I hope your court experience is as easy as mine was.

[Sweet Freedom]

27. Yes, me too.

I'm hoping by the time we stand before a judge, it's all sorted out and simply a tap of the gavel to finalize. :)

[Warpy]

11. I remember how I did it

and forks were " Mixed stainless flatware, service for 8, matched stainless flatware, service for 6."

Most of what they want on an inventory are the things that count as real assets: anitques, furniture, jewelry, appliances, power tools, real estate, vehicles, furs, and art. You can list "kitchen ware" without running into too much trouble unless you're talking about that set of expensive imported French copperware that you are likely to fight over.

Your child's effects should be listed as "personal clothing and toys." Her furniture can be listed with the other furniture.

Obviously, sets of law books and encyclopedias should be listed separately. Otherwise "X shelves of books" can do it for books.

You have my heartfelt sympathy. I went through this 20 years ago and it turned out to be one of the best things I ever did. It does get better, eventually.

[Sweet Freedom]

17. Ooo. Thank you. That's what I was doing.

And it's already better :) It's been over 2 years since this started, so I can't wait for the end!

[rucky]

13. Depending on how (un)friendly the divorce is...

I'd even count the barbecue sauce in the fridge.

[razors edge]

16. Its not that detailed.

Furnishings.

Clothes.

Jewelry.

Skip the children's goods, they are not for your personal use.

Simple categories with an estimated resale value. In some states musical instruments are excluded, as well as tools/business related items.

[Sweet Freedom]

18. Thank you! That helps :) . /nt

[razors edge]

20. Good luck.

They just need a point to judge value and if there is any disagreement it can be resolved more clearly later.

[Sweet Freedom]

23. Thanks! I'm looking forward to the end of this chapter.

[Whoa_Nelly]

19. Read this -- Texas Law

Hope this helps

http://www.divorcesupport.com/divorce/Texas-Property-Division-Factors-752.html

And in the context of layman's terms:
http://www.ralphewilliamson.com/CM/FSDP/PracticeCenter/Family-Law/Texas-Divorce.asp?focus=topic&id=1

[Stinky The Clown]

21. Be general ..... and juist remember ... its all just 'stuff'

I've been there. It all seems so important. Every can opener and tube of toothpaste.

Forget about it. List an inventory as generally as possible.

Living Room: Sofa, two chairs, accessories, teevee.

Dining Room: Table, six chairs, sideboard.

Kitchen: Table and chairs, cookware, typical appliances.

Etc.

At the end of the day, since you're in mediation (good choice), what's important will be up to you and your soon-to-be ex, not the court. The court gets involved when you two can't agree.

I went through this years ago, when mediation was still kinda new. The ones who objected MOST to entering mediation were ...... her lawyer and mine. We did a few hours of mediation and came out of it happy. Neither of us felt raped and we've never argued over it since then. I can't speak for her, but I never felt like I lost anything.

Good luck ...... this is stressful, but there really are better days ahead.

[Sweet Freedom]

22. I don't even care about any of it

We split up two years ago and divided it all then, but apparently, we have to do all this nonsense for the courts.

The only reason we're going to mediation is so I can get him to pay child support -- an obligation he has ignored for two years -- and to prove to him that there's no substantial equity in the home.

[hisownpetard]

28. Just another dreary part of the divorce process, but this too shall pass.

Keep it as simple as possible. Unless you have some dishes or glassward that are family heirlooms, just put, "daily dishes, service for 6."
Any artwork you may have should be mentioned and, if possible, you should take a photo of each item.
And one thing that is definitely an asset but is often forgotten is any burial plots that you may have bought together! (They can be quite expensive).

Good luck to you. You will get through it, even if it doesn't feel that way right now!