After Divorce: Taking Steps to Rebuild Your Life

Whether you were married for two years or two decades, starting over after divorce can feel overwhelming and stressful. While the legal process is over, you might be wondering where to start rebuilding your life. It’s important to be patient with yourself and take each day one at a time as you navigate the emotions you are feeling. However, there are a number of things you can do to stay productive and help you move forward.

Here are some tips for rebuilding your life after divorce:

1. Let Your Friends, Family, and Other Parties Know About Your Divorce

You may have kept quiet about your divorce while your case was pending. However, now that you’re newly single, it is time to tell your family and friends — as well as anyone else who may need to know for practical, legal, or financial purposes. For instance, you may need to inform your employer so that they can change your name or adjust tax withholdings; your bank to change the beneficiaries on your account; and your children’s school.

2. Review Your Judgment of Divorce

Often, a judgment of divorce contains a number of orders that require the spouses to take specific actions following the divorce. This can include closing joint bank accounts, distributing property, paying certain debts, or selling the marital home. It’s best to review the judgment carefully and ask your attorney if you have any questions. Make a list of the things that will need to be done in the coming weeks or months. Significantly, failing to comply with a court order can lead to contempt charges being filed against you by your spouse.

3. Revise Your Estate Plan

After your divorce has been finalized, review your estate plan to remove your spouse and make any necessary changes to the documents. You will probably want to update your beneficiaries, choose a new power of attorney, and revise your last will and testament. In addition, if you named your former spouse as the executor of your estate, you will likely want to remove them.

4. Find a New Place to Live

You might want to start fresh in your life after divorce. This may involve finding a new place to live in a different town or even another state. Whether you will be buying a new home or renting, it’s vital to consider your options — and whether you want to use the transition during life after divorce for a change in your surroundings.

5. Open New Bank Accounts

Following your divorce, you should open new accounts and close any joint accounts. Transfer your share of any assets into the new account. Contact your credit card company and remove your spouse’s name as an authorized user of any of your credit cards that they were on. This will help you regain your financial independence, and you can also begin the process of reevaluating your financial goals.

6. Find a New Hobby or Activity

One of the best things you can do for yourself in your new life after divorce is find a new hobby or activity. Join a group, a book club, or exercise class that will get your mind off the past and foster new interests. It can also be a great way to boost your mood, make new friends, and meet people in your community.

7. Get the Emotional Help You Need

You may be feeling a wide range of emotions after divorce, including anger, sadness, grief, anxiety, guilt, and stress. Taking the right steps to emotionally heal after divorce is crucial. Whether you join a support group or seek individual counseling, getting the help you need can help you with resolving the pain you are feeling and processing your emotions. It can also provide a safe space where you can reflect on your marriage and identify any negative thought patterns and behaviors moving forward.

8. Start Rebuilding Your Credit

If your credit was connected to your spouse’s — or bad financial decisions were made during the marriage — you may need to work to rebuild your credit after divorce. Open a new credit card in your own name, use it on a regular basis, and pay it off immediately. This can help you establish your credit and a financial history apart from your former spouse.

Contact an Experienced Maryland Divorce Attorney

Life after divorce can be challenging, but having the right counsel by your side through the process can help ensure your transition is successful. At the Law Office of Shelly M. Ingram, our Fulton, Maryland divorce lawyers are dedicated to helping you navigate the divorce process as you turn the page to a new chapter in your life. Trained in collaborative divorce, mediation, and traditional divorce litigation strategies, we will work closely with you to find a tailored solution for your specific situation. To schedule a confidential consultation with an experienced Maple Lawn divorce attorney, call us at (301) 658-7354 or contact us online.