Documents You Need to Update After Divorce
Has your divorce become final? Once you receive a divorce decree, you will need to update several things from bank accounts to credit cards and life insurance policies. Updating these records prevents your ex from becoming the beneficiary in the event of your death. Many people will update a drivers license after a divorce to reflect a different last name (if you change it). Here are the most important documents you need to update after a divorce:
- Social Security Card. If you want to change your name, you will need to file your divorce decree with the Social Security Administration.
- Driver’s License. Once you have the divorces decree, bring it with your to your local drivers license division to update your name.
- Property Title. If you want to transfer ownership or reflect a name change, file the new forms for your real estate and motor vehicles.
- Retirement Plan. Update your marital status and beneficiaries.
- Insurance Policies. Update your motor vehicle insurance, life insurance, and health insurance to reflect your marital status and beneficiaries.
- Living Will and Trust. You need to update your status and remove your spouse from all records.
- W-4. You need to adjust your number of dependents and identify that you are newly single.
- Medical Treatment Authorization and Consent Forms for Children. Update records to your newly single status and check on your children’s medical care needs. You need to make sure whomever is caring for your children is authorized to provide appropriate medical care in your absence.
- Medical Power of Attorney. You need to update information to remove your spouse from being the person who makes medical decisions on your behalf in the event that you are incapacitated.
Speak to your dentist’s and primary healthcare provider to update your records and remove your ex spouse from being your emergency contact.
The experienced legal team from the Law Office of Kelly Peterson are ready to help guide you through the next steps you need to take following a divorce. Contact our Provo family law firm today at (801) 616-3301.
