The 1040 Handbook: Updated Edition

The ABA Section of Family law updated the reference book entitled, The 1040 Handbook: A Guide to Income and Asset Discovery, Sixth Edition, by Jack Zuckerman.  This classic reference explains how to use the 1040 return as a discovery tool in divorce cases—in practice, not theory.  It is a great tool for drafting a detailed discovery plan for assets and income.  The handbook:

• Uses a hypothetical couple’s tax return for a line-by-line analysis of the federal tax form and its schedules to suggest areas of inquiry
• Explains what each line reveals about a couple’s assets and the income, notes clues that should be followed up on, and red flags to watch for
• Discusses how the 1040 can be used to draft a tentative list of assets, identify areas of inquiry, ask the right questions, and develop a list of documents to obtain

Special thanks to Joel Dobris (Professor of Law, UC Davis School of Law) for bringing this book to my attention.