Five Essential Steps to Take After Divorce
No one’s divorce story is the same, but there are some essential steps everyone should take after ending their marriage. Whether you’re feeling relieved or devastated, it’s important to take care of yourself both emotionally and practically. Here are five steps to help you recover from divorce and move on with your life.
Give yourself time to grieve the end of your marriage.
After the end of a marriage comes powerful emotions. It can take time to process and accept that the union is over. Rather than suppressing or avoiding these emotions, it’s important to recognize them and give yourself adequate space for healing. Making sure you are surrounded by supportive people and activities that can help bring you hope and strength on your journey. Don’t feel rushed to get over this chapter in life; be gentle with yourself as you go through the healing process, one day at a time.
Don’t make any major life decisions right away.
When making major life decisions, it can be tempting to make the decision quickly. However, it’s important to weigh your options carefully and give yourself time to think. Consider the pros and cons of each decision and make sure you understand the potential long-term implications before settling on a particular course of action. If possible, discuss the options with trusted advisors who can provide an alternative perspective. Taking your time to thoughtfully approach decisions that could affect your life or future endeavours is worth the effort in order to ensure you’re making an informed choice you’ll be happy with down the line.
Make a record of what you own.
For anyone looking to get organized after a divorce, making a record of what they own can be a great place to start. By taking inventory of possessions, people can identify the items that have the highest value and determine which pieces are worth keeping and maintaining. Additionally, should an unfortunate event occur, this comprehensive list serves as a helpful tool in keeping track of everything you own for insurance claims. Having all the necessary data reduces stress by ensuring items are not forgotten when filing for compensation. In sum, creating a documented record of one’s belongings is perhaps one of the most crucial steps for getting organized.
Review your Will, personal directive, and any powers of attorney.
The busy lives that we lead often cause us to forget or delay certain tasks, but when it comes to our Will, personal directives and any powers of attorney, it is important to review them after divorce. In the event of illness, injury or other unexpected circumstances, these documents provide important direction regarding life choices and plans made according to personal preference. Reviewing them after your divorce ensures that they are up-to-date and reflect your current wants and needs.
Joint Investments Contemplated in Your Estate Plan
When reviewing your estate plan, you like have a few different components like insurance policies, retirement savings plans (RRSPs), pensions, as well as education savings plans (RESPs) for children.
While your family lawyer will likely be responsible for properly dividing marital assets, it’s essential to review your estate plan so that you ensure everything has been distributed as intended. Additionally, new beneficiaries should be named where needed, and a solid agreement must be established on shared possessions, such as RESPs, to clarify who will manage the asset upon the passing of one partner.
These matters are typically addressed in the divorce agreement, though they may necessitate updating of wills following a divorce.
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Overall, understanding the legal aspects of a divorce can help to ease further hardships and reduce regret in the future. The unfortunate reality is any divorce can be complicated. However, it’s not impossible to grieve properly, as well as protect yourself legally. It’s important to give yourself time to process and grieve the end of your marriage – don’t make major decisions right away – review your estate plan, make a record of what you own, and consider reviewing any joint investments if applicable.
It may feel overwhelming now but the first step is often the most important one. If you or someone you know is going through a divorce, reach out for support. Our team has years of experience helping people navigate this difficult time – we are here to help. Give us a call today if you need guidance.
