What To Take When You Leave

When you leave, it is important to take certain items with you.

• Some people give an extra copy of papers and an extra set of clothing to a friend in case they have to leave quickly.
• Plan to put these items in one place so you can grab them quickly.

Identification

• Driver’s License and registration or other identification for yourself
• Birth Certificates for yourself and your children
• Social Security cards
• Public assistance identification
• Work permits, green card, passport, visa

Legal

• YOUR PROTECTIVE ORDER
• Lease or rental agreement or house deed and mortgage payment book
• Health and life insurance papers
• Medical records for yourself and your children
• School and vaccination records
• Divorce and custody papers
• Copies of proof of assets, such as bank or retirement fund statements, loan balances, stock certificates, CD’s, past tax returns, abuser’s paycheck stubs, insurance appraisals,
• Any written agreements made by you and your spouse

Financial

• Money and/or credit: Both parties have the right to take all of the money out of joint savings or checking accounts. If the abuser takes all of the money, you may not get your share of the money until a judge decides how the money should be divided later, if ever.
• Checkbooks and passbooks
• ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) card

Other Items

• House and car keys
• Medications
• Jewelry/Other small objects you can sell or items of special value
• Address book
• Phone card
• Pay-as-you-go cell phone
• Pictures of yourself, your children and your partner
• Change of clothes for yourself and your children
• Children’s favorite toys and/or blankets
• Emergency Numbers
  • local police and/or sheriff’s department
  • local domestic violence program or shelter
  • friends, relatives and family members
  • local doctor’s office and hospital