Steps to Take After Boca Raton Divorce

Just because you have an order of divorce signed by the judge doesn’t mean your work is done. There are a number of loose ends you’ll need to tie up before you can consider yourself completely severed from your ex-spouse.

Changing your name. If you decide to revert to your maiden name once the divorce is final, you need to go through some steps to legally change it. While the use of a previous name is included in the signed divorce order, you need to first change it with the Social Security administration before you can get a new driver’s license or government identification card.

Change beneficiary designations. While Florida law provides for the automatic revocation of an ex-spouse as beneficiary on life insurance, retirement assets, pay on death accounts and other similar financial assets, it is always a good idea to make new beneficiary designations once the divorce is final. This not only eliminates the potential for any fights over who is entitled to receive the proceeds of these assets at your death, but ensures that the assets aren’t accidentally paid to an ex-spouse by a financial institution that is unaware a divorce ever happened.

Name a new agent for your durable power of attorney and health care directive. If your ex-spouse has the authority to make decisions for you in the event you become incapacitated, you will need to complete new documents and appoint a new agent.

Transfer real property and vehicles. If one spouse was awarded the marital home or a vehicle that was owned in both spouses names, you must sign and deliver the appropriate legal documents in order to transfer title to the property. An experienced divorce attorney will ensure that any necessary deeds or vehicle transfer documents are signed along with the final divorce agreement.

Remove name from joint bank and credit card accounts. If you and your spouse had joint checking, savings, brokerage, credit card or other accounts, you want to make sure that the name of the spouse who did not receive the account in the divorce is removed. Better yet, open completely new accounts.

Notify your health insurance company. If your spouse was covered under your health insurance, make sure to notify the plan administrator (and human resources, if the coverage was provided through your employer) of the divorce so they can discontinue benefits to your ex-spouse.

Some of these changes will require that you provide a copy of the divorce decree; some may require a certified copy. Your Boca Raton divorce attorney can get you as many copies of these documents as you need.

Boca Raton Divorce Attorney

With more than 40 years’ combined family law experience, the Boca Raton divorce attorneys at Schwartz l White can help make the transition from married to divorce a smooth one. Once we’ve ensured you receive a fair and equitable distribution of the marital estate, we’ll make sure the necessary documents have been signed and submitted to the appropriate legal institutions to make sure every detail of the divorce settlement is properly taken care of. Call us today at 561-391-9943, or complete our convenient web form, to schedule a free initial consultation.