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You’re Divorced, What Do You Do Next?

The judge signed your final judgment for dissolution of marriage. Your finally done. Or, are you?

There are things that need to be done. What should you do next? It depends on what your final judgment says. There may be lots of things in your final judgment that you need to follow up with and make sure that they get done.

Were there retirement accounts? Were they to be divided by QDRO? Have you contacted an attorney to prepare the QDRO? By having the account divided by QDRO, you avoid the penalties and taxes.

Are you keeping the house? Has your spouse signed a quitclaim deed giving you the house in accordance with the final judgment for dissolution of marriage? Make sure you record the quit claim deed. Do you need to refinance the house in your name only to remove your spouse from the mortgage?

Did your spouse receive the house? Are you on the mortgage? Has your spouse refinanced the house in accordance with the final judgment?

Were you covered on your spouse’s health insurance? If yes, did you get new health insurance? Have you updated your life insurance, car insurance, etc.

Does your spouse have to obtain or maintain life insurance to cover child support or alimony? Has he/she provided you proof that he/she is doing that?

Did you go back to your maiden name in accordance with the final judgment? If you did do that, have you done the following? Changed your name on your social security card, changed your name on your driver’s license, changed your name on bank accounts, credit card and all other documents.

Have you gotten a new will? Most spouses leave their estate to their spouse. You are now divorced. Would you want your ex-spouse to get your estate if you were to die? If not, make sure you get your will updated and changed.

Also, if you have Advanced Directives, Healthcare Surrogate, Power of Attorney, Preneed Declaration of Guardian, Living Will, or Trust, you need to update all these documents

This information is provided only as educational materials, and does not constitute the providing of legal advice, and does not create an attorney client relationship.