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Tying Up the Loose Ends of Your Divorce

By Epperson Law Group, PLLC | October 15, 2019

It never fails. Your divorce is over, and you feel like you’re finally going to get some breathing room, but you still have some unfinished business to handle. Complying with the terms of your divorce decree can feel like a long, drawn out homework assignment, but the sooner you get through it, the sooner you can get on with your life.

Your divorce attorney will handle everything up through your final divorce decree, but there are things you’ll need to handle on your own once the divorce is final. Follow this post-divorce checklist to protect yourself.

  • Update your estate planning documents to remove your former spouse. Most married couples appoint one another as personal representative, health care power of attorney, durable power of attorney, and an heir under their last will and testament. If something happens to you, your spouse will suddenly have control over your assets and be authorized to make life or death decisions for you.
  • Remove your spouse’s name as owner from any real property you retain sole ownership of once the divorce is final. It will require cooperation from your former spouse to have his or her name removed from the deed and mortgage.
  • Remove your spouse’s name on all joint bank accounts.
  • Have all car titles properly executed to transfer ownership of the vehicles you will each retain ownership.
  • Change back to your maiden name, if applicable. To complete this process, you will need to notify the North Carolina Department of Transportation, Social Security Administration, and the Division of Motor Vehicles. Once your name has been legally changed, you will need to update your financial accounts, utilities, and so forth.
  • Update all health, auto, and life insurance policies to remove or add beneficiaries as required.
  • Take care of any obligations under your divorce decree, such as completing requirements to fulfill a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (“QDRO”). QDROs are used to reallocate a portion of your retirement account to your spouse under the terms of your divorce decree. This process is typically initiated by providing the proper forms to your plan administrator in your human resources department.
  • Notify any creditors of debts you are no longer legally responsible for under your divorce decree, and provide them with the proper documentation to have your name removed from the debt.
  • Update any credit card accounts to have your spouse removed to avoid the potential for running up more debt in your name.
  • If you made pre-need burial plans during your marriage, or purchased a long term care policy, you will want to have a discussion with the funeral director and insurance agent to determine what changes, if any, might be appropriate to make now that you are divorced.

For many of these changes, you will need to provide a copy of your executed, filed divorce decree to prove you possess the authority to make the requested changes.

The process of divorce is a long and tedious one. The uncertainty about where the dust will settle in the end can be a challenge. With support from family and friends, and with an experienced legal team at your back, you will come out the other side with a more secure outlook on your future. Our dedicated legal team is ready to fight for you. To speak with one of our Charlotte divorce attorneys, reach out to Epperson Law Group, PLLC through our contact form, or call our office at 704-321-0031 to schedule a consultation in our Charlotte, Boone, or Weddington offices.

 

 

Posted in Family Law