Guide
Divorce Household Inventory Spreadsheet: Free Template and Column Guide
August 15, 2026
A divorce household inventory spreadsheet should answer four questions without requiring someone to reconstruct the story from memory:
- What property exists?
- Where is it now?
- Who claims it?
- What is its current value?
That sounds simple until one row says “garage tools” and the other person says it means three screwdrivers rather than a full woodworking setup. Useful inventories are specific enough to support a conversation, but not so detailed that you spend hours cataloging objects nobody disputes.
Download the free household inventory CSV template. It opens in Excel, Google Sheets, Numbers, and most spreadsheet applications.
The columns to include
Item ID
Give each row a stable identifier such as GAR-001 or KIT-014. Use the same identifier in photo filenames or notes so evidence stays connected to the item.
Room or location
Record where the item was observed: primary bedroom, garage workbench, basement storage, or off-site storage unit. Location matters when property later moves.
Item description
Use enough detail to distinguish the item from a generic substitute. “Samsung 65-inch television” is more useful than “TV.” Include color, material, approximate size, and distinguishing features when relevant.
Make, model, and serial number
Capture identifiers for electronics, appliances, tools, bicycles, cameras, and other property that can be matched to receipts, warranties, or police reports.
Condition
Describe observable condition without advocacy: excellent, good, fair, damaged, or not working. Add a short note when condition materially affects value.
Current possession
Record who currently has the item or where it is stored. This is different from ownership. An item can be in one spouse’s possession while ownership remains disputed.
Ownership status
Use consistent values such as shared, claimed by spouse A, claimed by spouse B, separate-property claim, or disputed. Do not use the spreadsheet to decide the legal classification yourself.
Value and valuation source
Record a working fair-market value and where it came from: comparable sold listings, a written appraisal, a receipt adjusted for age and condition, or an agreed amount. Keep replacement cost separate; what it costs to buy a new couch is not necessarily what the used couch is worth today.
Photo and document references
Link the row to photographs, receipts, appraisals, warranty records, or prior insurance inventories. Store originals somewhere durable and private rather than embedding your only copy in the spreadsheet.
Notes and dispute status
Use notes for missing items, dates moved, inherited-property claims, requested appraisals, or questions for counsel. Keep observations separate from conclusions.
A useful level of detail
List individually:
- Furniture and major appliances.
- Electronics, tools, and equipment.
- Jewelry, art, antiques, firearms, and collections.
- Items with sentimental or disputed ownership.
- Anything expensive enough to affect negotiation.
Group ordinary low-value items when both parties are unlikely to dispute them. “Assorted everyday cookware” may be sufficient; a signed first-edition collection should not be one row called “books.”
Make the spreadsheet negotiation-ready
Before sharing it, sort for missing fields and resolve easy questions. Flag the rows that require an appraisal or legal guidance. Preserve an unchanged copy of the original inventory, then work from a duplicate so revisions remain understandable.
Mediators commonly ask parties to bring a detailed list of personal property and values. A structured spreadsheet also lets counsel filter by possession, disputed ownership, room, or valuation status instead of reading a narrative document.
From spreadsheet to report
The free template is the manual approach. HalfYourStuff creates the same core structure from household photos, then lets you correct the identified items and export both a readable PDF and an editable Excel workbook. Inspect the sample files before deciding whether to use it.
This template is an organizational tool, not a court form or legal advice. Confirm required disclosures and valuation standards with your attorney or mediator.