Divorcing sure is messy. Unfortunately, the paperwork & leftover details can sneak up on you long after the ink dries, even when they’re rather small details. We spoke to some people who divorced, and here are twelve loose ends they warned us not to overlook. Which of these do you think you would’ve forgotten?
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Follow through on QDROs for 401(k)s and pensions
A divorce decree may say you’ll split a retirement account, but you’ll need to draft & accept a QDRO (Qualified Domestic Relations Order) to make sure it happens. It’s not automatic. As such, you’ll need to make sure you write and pre-approve the form, while also getting it signed by a judge so that the money actually moves. Don’t forget to file it with the plan.
Handle post-divorce health insurance and COBRA windows
As soon as the divorce is final, your health coverage usually cuts off rather quickly. Yes, you’ll have COBRA rights if you were on your ex’s plan, but the clock is short, and you have around 60 days to elect it. Premiums are steep, too. You could try looking into the health insurance marketplace. This will give you a special enrollment period just for this situation.
Reset two-factor authentication and recovery channels
Lots of logins still send codes to a shared phone or email. As a result, you’ll need to reset those to stop your ex from accidentally (or not so accidentally) receiving access to your bank or cloud storage. Make sure you swap your recovery emails and check any security questions that rely on your shared history, like “Where did you honeymoon?”
Move your phone line off the shared account
Usually, phone bills are bundled & have one person as the account owner, which means they can see call logs or even shut off your line. You may need a transfer PIN from the carrier to fully separate, or even a fresh plan. Do you really want your ex to have access to your phone?
Refresh school and medical records for the kids
Your kids’ school won’t automatically receive any updated information. As such, you need to tell them who can pick up the kids & who gets report cards, as well as how any absences should be reported. The same goes for doctors. Make sure the clinic knows which parent is allowed to authorize treatment and that both of them have the right billing details.
Update kids’ passports and travel consents
That’s not all for kids. Their passports don’t renew themselves, and custody rules make it harder than most people expect, since one parent usually needs a notarized consent form (DS-3053). Airlines may also ask for consent letters, especially for international trips. Don’t leave it to the last minute.
Transfer pet microchips, licenses, and vet accounts
Pets have paperwork, too. Microchip companies keep the old owner’s details unless you submit a transfer, and it’s the same situation with city pet licenses & vet accounts. Leaving prescriptions on file under your ex’s name could stop you from picking them up. Even pet insurance carriers require a change of policyholder.
Fix ownership on 529 plans and custodial accounts
Unfortunately, many people overlook education accounts, even though a child isn’t the one who controls a 529 plan. It’s whoever is listed as the account owner who has the power. That could be your ex, which would allow them to control distributions. Custodial accounts like UTMA/UGMA may also get confusing since state rules differ on changing custodians. Make sure you sort it.
Remove your ex from emergency contact lists
A lot of places probably still have your ex listed as the person to call in an emergency. Failing to swap that out will leave you with quite the surprise if you land in the ER. To update it, you’ll need to log into work portals & call doctors’ offices, then add a sibling or friend instead.
Update vehicle emergency tools & roadside coverage
Glove boxes usually include old insurance cards & expired roadside service numbers, maybe even your ex’s name on a membership card. That makes things rather challenging when you break down, as you likely don’t want your ex to come pick you up. Instead, clean out your glove box and replace the cards. Don’t skip the windshield stickers either.
Update state beneficiary forms for retirement systems
Your pension paperwork lives in its own world, and divorce decrees won’t take an ex off those forms by themselves. Nope, you have to file a new beneficiary designation with the pension office itself. The survivor benefits may still flow to the wrong person until you do, even when decades have passed.
Transfer ownership of burial plots or pre-paid funeral contracts
Nobody wants to think about this one, but they should. Buying a joint burial plot or prepaid funeral plan could mean that your ex’s name may still be on record, regardless of whether you want it there. It’s not complicated, but avoiding it could cause issues that may only land years later.
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