4 Things to Do ASAP After Divorce
After your divorce ends, it is important to move quickly to update your records, accounts, and estate plans. Create a checklist, update IDs and addresses, notify financial institutions and insurers, and revise wills, powers of attorney, and beneficiary designations to ensure your information is accurate and reflects your current wishes.
Once your divorce is final, take time to update identification, financial accounts, and estate planning documents to keep your information accurate and up to date. Here are 4 tips on what to do now after your divorce is over.
1) Stay Organized with a Checklist
There are many details to handle after a divorce, and it is easy to forget something. A checklist of the agencies, companies, and professionals you need to contact can help you stay on track. Handling these tasks promptly reduces the risk of lost benefits or outdated records affecting you in the future.
2) Update Identification and Records
If you changed your name post-divorce, notify government agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service, Social Security Administration, and the state where your driver’s license was issued. You should also update your voter registration and any professional licenses. If you have moved, update your address with these same agencies. Do not rely only on the post office to forward your mail, since that can cause delays or missed documents.
3) Contact Financial Institutions and Insurance Providers
Your financial accounts and insurance policies also need attention. Notify banks, credit card companies, mortgage lenders, and retirement plan administrators of your updated information. Review your life, health, and property insurance policies to confirm coverage and change beneficiaries if necessary. These steps help prevent confusion about ownership of accounts and ensure benefits go to the right people.
4) Review Estate Planning Documents
Divorce is also the time to update your Will, Powers of Attorney, and Health Care Directives. Many people forget that their former spouse may still be listed as the person who inherits their estate or makes medical decisions on their behalf. Review these documents so they reflect your current wishes. You should also check beneficiary designations on retirement accounts since those are not automatically updated by divorce.
Contact the Law Offices or Robert J. Merlin
Divorce changes more than just your marital status. The Law Offices of Robert J. Merlin can provide guidance on the important steps you should take after your divorce, so your records, finances, and future plans are in order. Contact Robert J. Merlin at (305) 448-1555 to schedule a consultation.
The Law Offices of Robert J. Merlin, P.A. are located at 250 Catalonia Avenue, Suite 706, Coral Gables, Florida 33134.
Bob Merlin is a Florida Bar Board Certified Family Law Specialist, he practices in the areas of divorce, time-sharing of children and parenting plans, child support, alimony, paternity, pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, and cohabitation/partnership agreements.
As an experienced Collaborative attorney, Bob continually hones his skills in the Collaborative Process and trains other professionals how to become a Collaborative professional as he is.
“My goal is to help divorcing and other family law clients make well-informed decisions so they experience a more efficient process and feel more in control over their futures.”
