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If you have been through the divorce process, there are a few administrative things you need to do to wrap up the whole process.
Here is our checklist to help you conclude the process:
Court documents
Obtain a sealed copy of your Final Order and any Consent Order that has been filed. You will need these to prove to various agencies that you are now divorced. This especially applies to financial institutions such as mortgage and pension companies, who will only amend their records after viewing the official paperwork. Store these safely electronically and in hard copy, as you will need them.
Change your name.
If you wish to change your name, you will need a copy of your Final Order and your marriage certificate. You will need to inform the DVLA of any new name and address so your driving licence can be amended. Failure to do this could potentially result in you being fined for failure to notify the DVLA of a change of name. There is a fee for this.
Contact your doctor and update the NHS.
If you decide to change your name, you will need to provide your doctor and the NHS with details of any new name and address.
Contact your bank.
You will need to arrange to change your bank and credit cards. Open a new account if you need to and make sure all your standing orders and direct debits are connected to the right account. Taking the time to sort out all your bank details early on will save you so much time and energy.
Many of these changes will not have a cost associated with them, it’s just the time and effort needed to make sure everything is switched over to the right bank details. Close any old bank accounts you no longer need.
Your passport
Contact your local passport issuing office and renew your passport to show your new name. If you are planning on going away soon, the airline tickets must match the name on your passport. So, make sure you book any holidays in the name you will be using on the new passport.
Contact your local council.
Contact your local council to inform them of your new address for council tax reasons, enquire whether you are entitled to a reduction as a single person and make sure you amend your entry on the electoral roll for voting rights.
Make a new will.
Although divorce ends all inheritance rights between spouses, it’s important to make a new will to set out clearly where you want your inheritance and family assets to go.
If you leave your old will in place, and your former spouse was the sole beneficiary, you would be considered as dying without leaving a will and your estate may be dealt with according to the rules of intestacy.
Have all the terms of any Consent order been implemented?
It is essential to ensure that the terms of any financial consent order have been put into effect.
Have all undertakings been complied with?
Have all property transfers taken place.
Have all assignments of policies been completed?
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