Property Inventory Checklist
Create a complete inventory of all marital and separate property for accurate valuation and fair division. This checklist covers real estate, vehicles, personal property, and financial assets.
Checklist
List all real property owned by either or both spouses. For each property, note the address, date of purchase, purchase price, current estimated market value, outstanding mortgage balance, and whose name is on the title. Obtain a professional appraisal for properties that will be contested or that represent a significant portion of the marital estate.
Inventory all vehicles with the make, model, year, mileage, estimated value (Kelley Blue Book or NADA), and outstanding loan balance. Note whose name is on the title and registration. Include recreational vehicles, boats, ATVs, and any other motorized vehicles.
List every financial account with the institution name, account type, account number (last 4 digits for security), current balance, and whose name is on the account. Include checking, savings, brokerage, 401(k), IRA, pension, annuity, HSA, and 529 education savings accounts.
Document any ownership interest in businesses, professional practices, partnerships, or LLCs. Note the percentage of ownership, date the business was started or acquired, and approximate revenue. Business valuation typically requires a professional appraiser and may be one of the most significant assets in the estate.
Inventory valuable personal property including jewelry (especially engagement and wedding rings), artwork, antiques, coin or stamp collections, wine collections, and other collectibles. Obtain professional appraisals for high-value items. Photograph everything for documentation purposes.
Create a room-by-room inventory of furniture, appliances, electronics, and other household items. Note the approximate value and any items of particular significance. While household goods rarely have high resale value, they can be emotionally contested. Photograph items for documentation.
List computers, tablets, cameras, home theater equipment, power tools, workshop equipment, lawn and garden equipment, and other significant items. Include serial numbers where available and estimated current value.
If either spouse owns intellectual property such as patents, copyrights, trademarks, or receives royalty income, document these assets. Intellectual property can be valuable and is subject to division. Include details about any licensing agreements and income generated.
Inventory digital assets including cryptocurrency holdings (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.), NFTs, domain names, online businesses, and significant social media accounts with monetary value. Cryptocurrency in particular can be difficult to trace if not disclosed voluntarily.
Document country club memberships, airline miles, hotel points, credit card rewards, and season tickets to sporting or cultural events. While individually these may have modest value, collectively they can represent a meaningful asset. Note any transfer fees or restrictions on these items.
Tips
- 💡Take photographs or video of all rooms in the marital home, contents of safes and storage units, and any valuable individual items. This visual documentation is powerful evidence if items disappear.
- 💡Note the date of acquisition for each significant asset. Items acquired before the marriage may be separate property, while items acquired during the marriage are generally marital property.
- 💡Do not remove, sell, or destroy any marital property without agreement or court approval. Doing so can result in penalties and reflects poorly on your credibility with the court.
- 💡Consider hiring a professional appraiser for high-value items such as real estate, businesses, jewelry, and art to ensure accurate valuation.
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Common questions about this checklist
You do not need to list every plate and towel, but you should inventory all items of meaningful value (generally $100 or more) and any items of sentimental significance that you want to claim. The goal is to create a complete enough picture for fair division. Focus your detailed inventory on high-value items, and you can address minor household items more generally.
Document what is missing and when you noticed it was gone. Inform your attorney immediately. If items were removed after a divorce filing, this may be considered dissipation of assets or contempt of any court orders prohibiting removal of property. The court can order the return of items or credit you with their value in the property division.