A divorce can be heartbreaking and draining, but it is not the end of the world. Many people think they only need to change their name after a divorce, but there are a few more things you need to do after the divorce is final. We’ll go over some of these things in this short guide.
Change location
If you had an abusive partner, then changing your location after the divorce will be necessary. A Greeley domestic violence lawyer will recommend getting a restraining order and going no contact to protect yourself from harm.
Change documents
Most couples are beneficiaries of their insurance policies and bank accounts. So, after a divorce, it is important to change them to protect yourself. Check your investment accounts, such as treasury bonds and money market funds.
If you previously had a will written and your partner was a beneficiary, you should change it as quickly as possible.
Change passwords and close accounts
Joint accounts are quite normal with married couples to help them save and plan properly. But when a marriage breaks down, this could become a source of pain for one or both parties. If you share a joint account, you need to close the account entirely to prevent your ex-partner from gaining access to unauthorized funds.
The same applies to credit or debit card details. If your ex-spouse has them stored somewhere, they can easily access your account. It is safer to change the pins or discard them entirely.
Change name and update details
It is entirely up to you if you decide to change your name or continue using the one you bore during the marriage. If you change your name, then you need to update those details on your bank account, passport, id cards and other important government documents.
Even if you do not change your name, you’ll need to change your marital status in government documents and services such as social security services.
Get the CTC of the divorce decree
You will need a certified true copy of the divorce decree, especially when changing your name and updating your status. Get it as soon as you can and store it properly to refer to when necessary. Your lawyer can help you with this process.
Speak to an accountant
After working with an attorney for the divorce process, it would be wise to reach out to an accountant and regularize your tax situation. There are some tax implications to worry about from alimony and other transfers of property between the parties. So, ensure that you understand what is needed to prevent unexpected payments.
Sort your kid’s schedules
If you have kids, you need to make a plan on how to cater for them. If you have shared custody, then the children will need a new routine for school and every other extra activities. Set this up so they don’t fall behind in school considering the emotional turmoil they already face.
The entire process can be draining, but following up quickly will help you to recover faster.
