Is it normai for a divorce lawyer to throw away the notarized final devorce after only 3 years?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Is it normai for a divorce lawyer to throw away the notarized final devorce after only 3 years?
Asked on August 12, 2015 under Family Law, Pennsylvania
Answers:
B.H.F., Member, Texas State Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 8 years ago | Contributor
Most attorneys will keep documents or records 3-6 years before they dispose of their files. Before they dispose of files, they often preserve a scanned copy of any documents. If the attorney sent a notarized final divorce decree to be shredded... it would not be unheard of. Under the law, the main decree that matters is the one that is on file with the clerk of the court. Regardless of what anyone's copy might read, the final version with the court will control. If you need a copy, then you can contact the clerk for a copy. You can request either a certified or regular copy. Most governmental agencies will require a certified copy.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.