A divorce can be greatly upsetting and throw a large wrench in your life. You likely felt as if you needed to be more than one person at all times as you finalized all your legal documents.
However, while you may think your divorce is finalized, or in its final stages, there’s still a lot you’ve likely overlooked. There are still things you can do to separate yourself after a divorce. Here’s what you should consider doing:
1. Change your passwords
Your ex-spouse may know the passwords to your private accounts, social media accounts and streaming services. If these accounts are in your name, then you may need to consider changing all of your passwords. While you may believe your ex-spouse wouldn’t take advantage of you, it’s always best to be on the safe side.
2. Designate someone else on your life insurance
Many people designate their significant other as a beneficiary of their life insurance. If your spouse is meant to benefit from your life insurance, then you may need to consider making adjustments. Maybe you could put your children or a sibling down as a beneficiary.
3. Update your emergency contacts
Most people have their significant other as their emergency contact. While you may still trust your ex-spouse to do the right thing if there’s an emergency, you may also want to take that burden off them.
4. Alter your estate plan
Your ex-spouse may have been a large benefiter in your estate plan. Maybe they were designated to inherit your home or all of your assets, but you wish to make changes so your children or siblings now benefit from you.
You may have also designated your ex-spouse to be your power of attorney. A power of attorney holds great power if you’re incapacitated. While, again, you may still trust your ex-spouse to make the right decisions on your behalf, you may want to give that role to someone else.
It’s important to understand that your ex-spouse may still influence your life after a divorce. However, making sure you make the right changes and know your legal options may be the best way to separate yourself after a divorce.