So your divorce is finally over. The paperwork is all done (at least, you’re pretty sure it’s all done…) The assets are divided, the custody arrangements are finalized, the court visits are concluded. Great job! You’re now officially free to move on with your new life. So… what now?
This is a question that many recently divorced folk ask themselves, and it’s only natural. Once the dust has settled, there can be a definite sense of uncertainty and even anxiety as you enter these uncharted waters. So as experienced family law attorneys in Oakland County and in Metro Detroit, we have a few suggestions for you that may help to make this transition a little smoother.
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Meet with your divorce attorney
Yes, it may sound strange to have a meeting with your attorney when you no longer technically need their services, but there is a good reason for this. Your divorce may be final, but chances are, you are going to be living with the aftermath of your divorce for many years to come.
It is rare that a couple is able to part ways and be completely and utterly free of one another in every way possible. For this reason, we recommend that you meet with your attorney to ask any final questions, get last minute advice, and ensure that everything is ready to go for your new independent life.
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Ensure that you are fully informed
Talk to your attorney about common mistakes and screw-ups that people make after divorce. This way, you can be better prepared to avoid problems in the future. Find out about your rights after divorce, and what the consequences are if you or your ex don’t comply with the terms of the divorce agreement.
Make sure that you know who to talk to and what to do in the event that you need to change an aspect of the divorce agreement. For example, if you want to make changes to your custody agreement, or need to modify your child support payments. Adaptations to court ordered agreements happen more often that you may realize, and being informed ahead of time can really help.
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Ask for tips and pointers for the future
Ask your attorney if they have any helpful hints for you that could make your future dealings with your ex and/or the court easier. Things like making sure that you have changed your life insurance policy beneficiary, which is often something that people overlook after divorce. We can also point you in the right direction if you have changed your name during the divorce.
Discuss strategies for avoiding legal conflict with your ex over custody, alimony and child support, and find out which issues are worth going back to court for, and which aren’t. Be sure that your attorney explains to you everything you need to know about how to handle these problems, should they arise in the future. After all, it’s better to be prepared, even if you never make use of the information.
Join us next time as we look at the next three items on this list of things to do after your divorce is final. You won’t be sorry, we promise!
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