6 Steps to Take After Your Divorce
Moving forward after a divorce is difficult. While it may be a relief to have the divorce complete, there are still steps you must take to ensure the terms of your divorce are followed. Acting after your divorce is the last thing you want to do, but a necessary step in rebuilding your life and making sure you and your children are protected. Here are six important steps you need to take after your divorce:
1. GET YOUR PROPERTY
What were you awarded in your divorce? Did you receive the house? Do you need to transfer a title? Do you need to transfer money from a bank account? Are you to receive funds from your former spouse’s retirement account? Have you picked up your personal property items or furniture? You need to carefully look over your divorce decree or settlement agreement to decide what steps need to be taken to get your property. Do not wait to get your property as timelines are usually spelled out in your divorce decree or settlement agreement.
2. SET UP CHILD SUPPORT
Was child support ordered in your case? Regardless of whether you were ordered to pay, or if you are the parent receiving, you need to set up a Child Support Account with Child Support Clerk in the county where you divorced. You will need to contact their office to find out what information is needed. Usually, you will need to provide the divorce decree and an information sheet with your information and information about your former spouse and children, including addresses, Social Security Numbers, dates of birth, and phone numbers. If the Court ordered child support to be paid through an Income Withholding Order, then you need to submit the proper paperwork to the Court and then to the employer. It will be easiest to hire an attorney to assist you with this step.
3. OPEN YOUR OWN ACCOUNTS
If you haven’t already, set up your own bank account. Any joint accounts or debts should have been divided in the divorce. You should use your own individual account that your former spouse never had access to moving forward.
4. UPDATE YOUR LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT
I suggest that you have your Last Will and Testament reviewed to determine whether any changes need to be made now that you are divorced. Additionally, you should review your life insurance policies and other financial accounts/retirement plans, etc. and determine whether beneficiaries should be changed. You should immediately take action to change all beneficiary designation if your Decree states that you now get sole possession of any policy, account, or retirement plan. In the event your ex-spouse was designated as a beneficiary on any account or policy and you die without having made these beneficiary changes, your former spouse will receive all the beneficiary proceeds, despite what is written in your Agreement or Decree.
5. CHANGE YOUR LAST NAME
If the Court granted you a name change, you will need to provide the Social Security Administration, Internal Revenue Service, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Indiana Department of Revenue, and any other registry with a copy of your Decree of Dissolution of Marriage to affect your record changes. From there, you should change your name on all of your accounts, titles, debts, and anything else with your name on it.
6. GET THE SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT YOU NEED
You and your children have gone through a very stressful, life-altering time and I believe everyone can benefit from speaking to a counselor who can support you and help you move forward in the healthiest way possible. There isn’t an individual out there who wouldn’t benefit from counseling. It is important that you take care of yourself and your children and to seek help when needed. Please see my article on Care for Separated and Divorced Individuals. For more suggestions as to care for you and your children after or during a divorce.
Please contact me to if you need help following or implementing any of these necessary steps before, during, or after a divorce.
This blog does not constitute legal advice nor does it establish an attorney client relationship. This is for general information purposes as in most legal situations the facts and terms of an agreement between the parties can affect the results.