Post Divorce Checklist: Who Do I Need to Notify When I Am Divorced?

Going through the divorce process involves a number of legal and administrative steps. Once the legal proceedings are over and your divorce has been finalized, certain parties must be notified of your change in marital status, name or address. However, while you are in the process of dividing your property and adjusting to all the changes in your new life, it can be overwhelming to keep track of who you must inform about your divorce. It’s important to create a spreadsheet or checklist to stay organized.

Here’s a basic post-divorce checklist of parties who you should notify once your divorce has been finalized:

1. Social Security Administration

Many people take on their spouse’s last name during marriage and revert to using their maiden name once their marriage has been dissolved. If you changed your name during divorce, the first thing on your post-divorce checklist should be changing it back with the Social Security Administration. This involves filling out an “Application for a Social Security Card,” and providing documents that prove your identity and name change, such as your marriage certificate, divorce decree, and birth certificate. Additional information can be found in this blog post: What You Need to Know About Social Security if You are Getting Divorced

2. Financial Institutions

Following your divorce, be sure to notify your bank and any other financial institutions where you have accounts. Update the name on your accounts to ensure it reflects your name change. If you moved, make sure your new address is listed on the accounts. You should also close any joint accounts and remove your former spouse as a beneficiary.

3. Creditors

Next on your post-divorce checklist should be advising creditors of your divorce. You may be held accountable for a debt with a creditor, even if your divorce decree specifies that your spouse is responsible. Contact your creditors to notify them of the debt assignment and consider negotiating to transfer balances to individual accounts. Close any joint accounts that are no longer necessary.

4. Mortgage Companies

Depending on your situation, you may need to inform your mortgage lender about your divorce. If you obtained a mortgage with your former spouse, you are both responsible for the debt. Often, couples who divorce with a joint mortgage opt for one of the following during settlement negotiations:

• Sell the marital home
• Refinance the mortgage
• One party buys the other out

It’s vital to take the necessary measures to protect your home and financial situation before and after divorce.

5. Government Agencies

If you are changing your name from what is on your license, you must provide documentation to the DMV authorizing the name change to have your license reflect this. You must also take the necessary steps to change your name with the Secretary of State if you have any state-issued IDs, as well as the U.S. Department of State to update your passport.

6. Landlords

If you divorced while renting, you should notify your landlord and ask if they will remove your former spouse from the lease. If one spouse will remain in the property, discuss whether your landlord would be agreeable to creating a new rental agreement. Although the court can determine who stays in the property, the landlord is not obligated to follow any court orders concerning the divorce.

7. Insurance Companies

As part of your post-divorce checklist, you should notify any insurance companies of your divorce to have your spouse’s name removed from the policies. These policies can include your health insurance, car insurance, and homeowner’s insurance. In addition, be sure to remove your spouse as a beneficiary from any life insurance policy you have.

8. Your Accountant and Financial Advisors

Divorce can have many tax and financial implications — it’s essential to consult with your accountant and financial adviser to address any important considerations. In addition, you may need to change your tax filing status and adjust the amount of tax withheld from your paycheck. Other topics you may need to discuss with an accountant can include financial matters such as child support, who claims the child tax credit, alimony issues, and property transfers.

9. Your Children’s School

If you have children, you will need to send your parenting time order to their school. This informs the administration who makes decisions for your child, which parent will be picking the children up from school, and who is listed as the emergency contact. You may also need to make any applicable name or address changes for you and your children. Informing your children’s teachers about your divorce can also let them know what your child is going through.

10. Your Employer

People are often wary of informing their employers about their divorce. However, notifying human resources should be included on your post-divorce checklist, and there may be paperwork you need to complete. For example, you may need to:

• Adjust your W-4 tax withholding
• Remove your spouse from your health insurance
• Change your name in the company’s records
• Update your address
• Have your payroll direct deposited into a new bank account

Some companies may also have employee assistance programs that can help you deal with the process or aftermath of divorce. Human resources can provide you with more information about this type of support.

Contact an Experienced Utah Divorce Attorney

If you are feeling stressed about the administrative tasks that you must complete once you’ve obtained your divorce decree, it’s critical to create a post-divorce checklist. A knowledgeable divorce attorney can best advise you regarding these matters. Based in Salt Lake City, BartonWood provides compassionate counsel and trusted representation to clients for a wide variety of divorce and family law issues. To learn more about our legal services and how we can assist you, call 801-326-8300 or contact us to schedule a consultation.