​Divorce Checklist - Important Things to Take Care of After the Final Judgment

With all the emotional and financial stress that so often surrounds getting a divorce, many people forget important things to take care of after the Final Judgment is entered.

​Here is a divorce checklist you can reference to make sure you don’t overlook something.

• Save a copy of your Final Judgment and Settlement Agreement for future reference. If your Settlement Agreement includes a Parenting Plan, it is likely you will need to refer back to the Parenting Plan often to verify the timesharing or holiday schedule.
• Change your estate planning documents. If you previously had a Will appointing your former spouse as personal representative or beneficiary, you may want to have it amended. Contact our office for a referral to an estate planning attorney.
• Make sure all additional Orders that may need to be entered after the Final Judgment are signed. For example, an Income Withholding Order or a Qualified Domestic Relations Order may need to be entered to secure support and the division of retirement account(s). Check with your attorney to make sure the employer responsible for withholding the obligor’s income has received the Notice of the Income Withholding Order. A certified copy of the Qualified Domestic Relations Order will need to be sent to the retirement plan administrator.
• Meet with your Financial Planner to reassess your financial needs and how your financial plan should be modified to better match your needs.
• If necessary, change the titles on assets like your home and cars.
• Take care of closing all joint bank and credit card accounts.
• Obtain individual auto and health insurance.
• Change the beneficiary on any life insurance policies.
• If your name has been legally changed, you will need to request a new Social Security Card, driver’s license, passport, change name on all bank and credit card accounts, and notify your children’s school of your name change.
• Keep records of all alimony and child support payments paid or received. Also record payments for extracurricular and uncovered medical expenses.
• Keep a log of any future incidents involving the children.
• You may also want to schedule appointments with a counselor, therapist or other professional to help you transition. We can also refer you or your children to professionals who specialize in family counseling.