Once your divorce is final, there is still a list of items to address as you start your new life, including updating legal and financial documents. Some of these may have been done during the divorce proceedings. If not, you should complete them now to avoid problems later.
What Documents Should be Updated?
Some of the most common documents that may need to be changed include:
- Identification: Your driver’s license, passport, social security card, insurance card, voter registration and other forms of identification should reflect your new name and/or address as applicable.
- Financial accounts: Joint bank, investment, credit card, online payment and other accounts should be closed and then opened individually in one person’s name. In some cases, you may be able just to drop your spouse’s name. Beneficiaries should be changed for financial and retirement accounts, including 401(k)s, IRAs and pensions.
- Titles and deeds: Joint property should be transferred, retitled and recorded as set forth in your divorce judgment.
- Insurance: Life, car, home and health insurance policies should be updated as needed, including naming a new life insurance beneficiary and removing your spouse from your health insurance.
- Employment-related documents: Your name, address, emergency contacts and W-4 should be updated as needed.
- School records: If you have children, notify their schools of any name and address changes and relevant custody provisions.
- Estate planning documents. Your will, trust, health care proxy and power of attorney should be revised.
- Digital and online accounts. You should close shared accounts and/or change passwords as agreed to with your spouse.
How Do You Update These Documents?
Generally, you will need proof of your divorce in order to change these documents. Government agencies, banks, insurance companies and employers typically ask for a certified copy of your final divorce decree. You can get certified copies from the county clerk’s office where your divorce judgment was entered. To make this easier, you can ask your attorney to obtain extra certified copies of the divorce decree when it is first obtained.
In some cases, you may also have to provide other documents, such as a birth certificate, a government-issued ID or proof of your address (e.g., a lease, a utility bill, or a credit card statement).
While these tasks may take some time to complete, it’s best to get them done soon after your divorce is finalized. If you need assistance, consult your attorney for advice on what steps to take.
