What to Do After Divorce: Next Steps After Filing & Post-Divorce Checklist
We have already written about things to do before filing for divorce, but what happens after filing? Keep reading to learn more about what to do after divorce, including a step-by-step post-divorce checklist!
Things to Do After Filing for Divorce
Have you filed for divorce in Tennessee and want to know what happens next? If you haven’t already, you’ll need to serve the divorce papers to your spouse. Or perhaps you were the one served and wondering what to do after receiving divorce papers. Here’s a quick breakdown:
1. Hire A Divorce Attorney
The best thing you can do to stay protected, organized, and prepared for the next steps is to hire a divorce lawyer. When divorces involve complex assets, businesses, real estate, and children, you want an expert whom you trust to maintain your best interests.
2. Organize Finances and Documents
You’ll want a clear picture of your finances for the settlement stage, so begin by tracking your income and expenses and gathering information such as tax returns, bank statements, retirement information, and insurance policies. You may also need to open a separate bank account or update passwords to protect your finances.
3. Review Injunctions and Rules
After filing for divorce, couples are immediately prohibited from changing insurance coverage and getting rid of assets. There may also be court-appointed temporary orders to manage, such as parenting time, spousal support, use of home or vehicles, and even bills and other financial obligations.
4. Plan for Child Care and Living Arrangements
For divorcing couples with kids, it’s important to start thinking about a parenting plan immediately. Keep the conversation child-focused, starting with decision-making about schedules, transportation, etc.
5. Prioritize Communication
Whether you remain in contact with your spouse during the divorce process or not, communication is critical for resolving disputes calmly. Decide early on how you wish to communicate: via lawyers only or in addition to text, email, or co-parenting apps. Regardless, respectful, factual, and clear communication with all parties involved is critical, not just for your and your children’s well-being but also for the overall legal process.
Next Legal Steps in the Tennessee Divorce Process
- Mandatory Waiting Period: 60 days for no-fault divorce without children under 18; 90 days for any other divorce
- Discovery: Exchanging financial information and may require answering questions under oath
- Mediation/Settlement Negotiations: Discussion of alimony, property division, child support, custody, etc.
- Trial (If Necessary): If issues can’t be resolved via mediation, it will be up to the judge to decide
- Parent Education Seminar: A mandatory court-approved parenting class for couples with minor children
- Final Hearing: Official end of the marriage with a Final Decree of Divorce
Step-by-Step Guide: A Post-Divorce Checklist
You’ll need several copies of your Certified Divorce Decree to make the following changes and updates:
- Address Changes
- Emergency Contact Information
- Update Beneficiaries and Insurance
- Transfer Assets/Titles
- Modify Living Will/Estate Planning
- Verify Retirement Division (QDRO)
- Update Tax Withholding
Changing your name post-divorce? You’ll need to update:
- Social Security Card
- Driver’s License
- Car Title/Registration
- Passport
- Post Office
- Bank Accounts
- Employer Records
- Financial/Insurance
- Utility Companies
- Mortgage/Lease
- Voter Registration
Looking for a Knoxville Divorce Lawyer?
Do you need an attorney for a divorce? If the list of what to do after divorce sounds overwhelming to you, our law firm is here to help! Our job goes beyond filing paperwork and providing legal advice; we guide you through each step of the divorce process from start to finish.
Divorce is stressful, but we do our best to remove some of that burden and keep the legal process as simple as possible. Reach out to our divorce attorney in Knoxville, TN, for a free consultation!
