What to Do After You Get Divorced

Fri 17th May, 2024 Family Law

The process of getting a divorce, in many cases, can be long and arduous, especially if your marriage was lengthy or you and your spouse can’t agree on much. But the process of dissolving a marriage is not totally over even after the divorce judgment issues; the ex spouses must still put a few more things in order to return to living as single people. If you’re wondering what steps to take after you get divorced, a Stockton family law attorney can assist you.

Change Your Name, If You Haven’t Done So Already

Many divorcées choose to change their surnames back to their birth names after they get divorced. There are two ways to do this — as part of the divorce judgment or after the divorce. If you did not request a name change as part of your divorce judgment, you can still do so fairly easily by filling out an application for restoration of a former name. Keep in mind that you may only use this process if you want to revert to a former legal name, not if you want a new name.

Make a New Budget

Your post-divorce financial situation will be significantly different than when you were married. This is not only because you are now solely responsible for your living costs, but also because your new financial arrangements may involve paying or receiving alimony and/or child support. It is best to take a conservative approach to your finances until you settle into a new routine after a divorce.

Revisit Your Estate Plan

If you executed an estate plan while you were married, you likely made provisions in your estate planning documents for your ex-spouse. Unfortunately, those documents do not automatically update when you get divorced, and probate courts follow their terms closely. Be sure to update your will, trust, power of attorney, and/or advance directive after your divorce to ensure that your estate plan reflects your wishes.

Make Sure You Understand When You Can Make Post-Divorce Modifications

Family law court orders must be followed to the letter, but that does not mean that they are set in stone. When circumstances change, it is possible to obtain post-divorce modifications to a variety of court orders, including alimony, child support, and child custody. But family law courts do not hand out modifications on a whim — the party seeking the modification must demonstrate that the circumstances have changed significantly enough that they are entitled to it. Once you have gotten divorced, make sure you understand the grounds for seeking a post-divorce modification of a court order.

Speak to a Stockton Family Law Attorney for Further Guidance

You’ll probably have a lot of questions on your mind even once your divorce becomes final, and that’s okay. Our Stockton family law attorneys are here to assist at every step of the divorce process. For more information, please contact an attorney at McKinley, Conger, Jolley & Galarneau by using our online form or calling us at 209-477-8171.

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