Post divorce, you have a lot to contend with. You are suddenly single again, potentially after years or decades of being a twosome. Things that used to be taken care of by your spouse now all fall on your shoulders, not to mention the fact that you suddenly must support your household on your own. Having a post-divorce checklist can be essential to ensure you get your life back on the right track as quickly as possible.
Your Post Divorce Checklist
Every person's post divorce checklist will be somewhat different based on their personal situation, but there are several key things you should do after a divorce to ensure that you are moving on with your life in a productive way:
- Face your finances: You need to figure out how much money you now have coming in with your income, alimony or child support. You may find that the new income level you have is not sufficient to accommodate all the expenses you have. If this occurs, you have a hard choice to make- cut your spending or increase your income. Neither of these may be easy to do and you may have to take drastic steps like taking a second job, going back to school to increase your earning power, or selling homes, cars or other possessions.
- Deal with the future: You have to make sure you are protected for the future- this means making sure that you have insurance secured in your own name if you were previously insured through your spouse, as well as making sure you have credit cards in your own name so you can build your credit if your house was previously responsible for the finances.
- Get support. Spend time with friends, family, other divorced individuals, or even a support group for divorcees. You need to move through this difficult and emotional time in your life and being around positive influences who can make you feel better is the best way to do so.
- Keep your family close. If you have kids, they will need reassurance that you still love them and their life will be OK. If you don't have full custody, make as much contact as is permitted within the divorce decree. Call them or write letters if you are allowed during the off days so they can know you are thinking of them in the days immediately following the divorce.
Getting Help
It is important to have an experienced and qualified attorney during your divorce, but your relationship with your lawyer shouldn't necessarily end post divorce. Remember, if you have any problems with any aspect of the divorce decree, the custody, child support, alimony or other settlement, your attorney is there for you to turn to.
