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7 Essential Steps to Take Right After Your Divorce is Final (Checklists included!)

So, the papers are signed. It’s done. You’re officially divorced.


What to do after your divorce is final.
No matter what you do, it will be great!

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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© 2025 by Masha Rusanov. Exhale–Explore–Engage™ method and all associated materials are the intellectual property of Masha Rusanov. All rights reserved.

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