7 Essential Steps to Take Right After Your Divorce is Final (Checklists included!)
- Masha Rusanov
- Apr 17
- 5 min read
So, the papers are signed. It’s done. You’re officially divorced.
Maybe you feel relief. Or grief. Or both. Maybe you’re numb, or maybe you’re buzzing with a nervous kind of freedom. There’s no right way to feel—only your way. And whatever that is, it’s valid.
What matters now is how you move forward. Not in a hustle-harder, get-over-it kind of way. But in a steady, grounded, this-is-my-life-and-I’m-taking-it-back sort of way.
Here are eight essential things to do now that your divorce is final:
1. Mark the Moment
Divorce is a major life transition. It deserves to be witnessed—even if it’s just you. Light a candle. Write in your journal. Take a solo walk and thank the version of you who carried it all this far.
You don’t have to host a party (though you can!), but take a moment to acknowledge the ending and honor the beginning.
Ideas to try:
Write a letter to your past self (or your ex, or your marriage)
Do a cord-cutting meditation or ritual
Create a vision board for your next chapter
Burn or bury a symbol of closure (a note, an old photo, etc.)
Take yourself on a solo retreat, even if it's just one night away
2. Secure Your Finances
Start separating the financial threads ASAP. This part can be tedious, but it brings a massive sense of peace of mind. The sooner you do it, the sooner you feel safe, independent, and clear.
Here is a checklist:
Task | Status (Checkbox) | Notes (e.g., Deadline, Contact Info) |
Close Joint Bank Accounts | ☐ | Open new accounts first |
Close Joint Credit Cards | ☐ | Confirm a $0 balance or payment plan |
Change Financial Passwords (Banking, Apps, etc.) | ☐ | Use strong, unique passwords |
Update Life Insurance Beneficiaries | ☐ | Check the decree requirements |
Update Retirement Account Beneficiaries (IRA/401k) | ☐ | Check the decree requirements |
Review Health Insurance Options | ☐ | Note enrollment deadlines (COBRA) |
Obtain Your Credit Report | ☐ | Check all three bureaus |
Schedule Financial Advisor Consultation | ☐ | Consider a CDFA® specialist |
If this feels overwhelming, consider tackling it one item at a time. Progress is still progress. Keep a small notebook or digital list to track what you’ve completed and celebrate each step.
3. Consult a Financial Advisor (Especially a CDFA)
A Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) can help you:
Review your divorce settlement
Create a realistic post-divorce budget
Understand tax implications
Navigate property division and retirement accounts
Divorce can change everything about how you manage money, even if you were already financially savvy. Talking to someone who understands the post-divorce landscape can help you avoid costly mistakes and move forward with clarity.
4. Get Your Documents in Order
Your will isn’t the only document that determines where your assets go. Retirement accounts, life insurance, and payable-on-death accounts need to be updated directly. And health insurance often changes immediately after a divorce.
Here is a longer checklist for you:
Document/Area | Action Needed (e.g., Create New, Update Beneficiary, Change Name/Address, Transfer Title) | Status (Checkbox) | Notes |
Will / Estate Plan | Create New / Revise & Revoke Old | ☐ | |
Powers of Attorney (Financial & Medical) | Create New / Revoke Old | ☐ | |
Healthcare Directive / Living Will | Update / Create New | ☐ | |
Life Insurance Beneficiaries | Update Beneficiary | ☐ | |
Retirement Account Beneficiaries (401k, IRA, etc.) | Update Beneficiary / Implement QDRO | ☐ | |
Bank Account Beneficiaries (POD/TOD) | Update Beneficiary | ☐ | |
Health Insurance | Obtain New Coverage / Confirm Children's Coverage | ☐ | |
Auto Insurance | Obtain New Policy / Update Details | ☐ | |
Home / Renter's Insurance | Obtain / Update Policy | ☐ | |
Social Security Card | Update Name (if applicable) | ☐ | |
Driver's License / State ID | Update Name / Address | ☐ | |
Passport | Update Name | ☐ | |
Vehicle Titles | Transfer Title per Decree | ☐ | |
Property Deeds (Real Estate) | Transfer Title / Record Deed per Decree | ☐ | |
Bank Accounts (Ownership) | Close Joint / Open Individual / Update Name | ☐ | |
Credit Cards (Ownership/Authorized Users) | Close Joint / Remove Ex as User / Update Name | ☐ | |
Utilities (Gas, Electric, Water, Internet, etc.) | Transfer Service / Update Name/Address | ☐ | |
Voter Registration | Update Name / Address | ☐ | |
Employer Records | Update Name / Address / Tax Withholding / Beneficiaries | ☐ | |
Post Office Address Change | File Forwarding Request (if moved) | ☐ |
Pro tip: if you have kids, your decree may require you to keep life insurance with your ex as beneficiary, at least for a while. Be aware of your obligations so you can plan accordingly.
5. Plan for Your Kid-Free Time
If you’re co-parenting, the time your kids are with the other parent can feel like a void. That time is yours now, and it can become something beautiful. Don’t wait to feel better to start doing things that bring you joy. Often, it works the other way around.
Ideas for making the most of your time away from the kids:
Pick a hobby you left behind
Try something new: painting, yoga, hiking, volunteering
Plan solo dates (movies, bookstore, day trips)
Create a routine that fills your cup instead of draining it
Write a list of 10 things you’ve always wanted to try, and pick one each month
This is about reclaiming yourself, not just filling the time. In the first few years after getting divorced, during my off-weeks, I managed to get a real estate license, apply (and get accepted to!) five graduate schools, study for a master's degree, complete three coaching certifications, and take up new exercise routines.
This newly gained extra time can be a great opportunity to truly align with your authentic self and discover a way to live your life more purposefully. And I'd be happy to help you with that ;)
6. Refresh Your Space
It doesn’t take a full renovation to shift the energy. You deserve to live in a space that feels safe, supportive, and like you. Let your home evolve along with you.
Try this:
Move the furniture
Replace bedsheets or add cozy touches
Burn sage or light a candle
Remove things that hold old emotional weight
Add a new piece of art, a plant, or a symbol of what you're calling in
Even the act of cleaning out one drawer can feel like reclaiming your life.
7. And, Very Important, Spoil Yourself a Little When Your Divorce is Final
You’re allowed to feel good. In fact, you need to.
Give yourself permission to:
Book the massage
Buy the flowers
Take yourself out for sushi
Say yes to something just because it makes you smile
Wear the outfit that makes you feel amazing, just because
You’ve spent enough time carrying the heavy stuff. Let something be soft, sweet, and just for you.
You don’t have to do all of this at once. But even one small action a day can start to shift the way you feel. You are allowed to go at your own pace.
You’re not broken. You’re rebuilding. And your future can still be full of joy, love, laughter, and deep peace.
With love,
Masha
P.S. If you feel lost and would like extra support, I can be your ally in your post-divorce recovery! Schedule a session when you are ready.
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