Being the victim of domestic violence can bring a lot of changes to your life. When you decide that you've had enough of the abuse, you might decide that it is time to leave. Try to do this before your life is placed in danger through the abuse. If you can safely do so, you should gather some information before you do. This might make the divorce process a bit easier.
Financial documents can help you during the property division process. If you're able to safely get things like the most current bank statements and proof of other financial accounts, you can use this when you're trying to divide up the assets and debts. Even if you can't keep the originals, copies can do the same thing.
If you own a home, try to get copies of the mortgage statement. You can do this for any other assets. Copies of the titles or deeds for these can also be helpful if you don't owe any money against them.
There are some instances when it isn't safe to hang around to try to gather this type of information. If you know that you aren't safe, don't stay just to get them. It might be a bit more complicated, but you can also find this information out during the discovery process.
When you know the marriage is over, consulting with an attorney must be a priority. Your ex isn't going to watch out for your interests, so you have to play an active role in doing this yourself. Trying to work out a favorable divorce settlement is one way you can make it happen. Remember, you might also need to obtain protective orders if you're concerned about your safety when you leave an abusive marriage.