What Happens After Divorce? Legal Steps To Take

Finalizing a divorce is a major milestone, but it doesn’t mean your legal matters are over. After divorce, many important legal and financial steps must be taken to protect your assets, update your estate plan, and ensure compliance with court orders. At Bosshard Parke, we assist clients in La Crosse, Sparta, and surrounding areas in navigating post-divorce legal needs to help provide peace of mind as they move forward.

Legal Steps After Divorce

Updating Your Will And Estate Plan

If your will or trust still includes your ex-spouse as a beneficiary or executor, those documents need to be revised immediately. While Wisconsin law automatically revokes certain provisions involving an ex-spouse, not all documents are affected, and failing to update them could lead to disputes or unintended consequences.

At Bosshard Parke, we can help you:

• Revise your will to reflect your new circumstances.
• Update your trust to ensure assets go to the correct beneficiaries.
• Designate a new power of attorney to make financial or medical decisions if you become incapacitated.
• Adjust guardianship designations for minor children, if necessary.

Our estate planning attorneys will guide you through the process to ensure that your wishes are protected and your estate is properly structured post-divorce.

Ensuring Compliance With Divorce Agreements

Divorce agreements often include court orders related to child custody, child support, spousal maintenance (alimony), and property division. Ensuring compliance with these orders is crucial, and if your ex-spouse is not following the court’s directives, legal action may be necessary.

Bosshard Parke can assist with:

• Modifying child custody or support if circumstances change.
• Enforcing spousal support or child support agreements if payments are not made.
• Resolving disputes over property division if assets were not properly transferred.
• Filing contempt motions against an ex-spouse who refuses to comply with court orders.

If your financial or personal situation has changed, we can also help you seek modifications to your court orders.

Reviewing And Updating Financial Accounts

A divorce decree may divide bank accounts, retirement funds, and other assets, but it is your responsibility to ensure those changes are properly executed. We can assist with:

• Reviewing and ensuring the proper division of retirement accounts, including the filing of a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) for 401(k)s and pensions.
• Advising on asset transfers related to property division.
• Providing guidance on spousal maintenance tax implications.

Protecting Your Real Estate And Property Interests

If you own property, updating the title and ownership records after divorce is essential. Our real estate attorneys can assist with:

• Transferring property ownership if required by the divorce settlement.
• Updating mortgage and title records to reflect new ownership.
• Handling legal disputes if your ex-spouse refuses to comply with a property division order.

Changing Insurance Policies And Beneficiary Designations

Many people forget to update beneficiaries on their life insurance, retirement accounts, and financial policies after a divorce. Our attorneys can:

• Ensure your life insurance policies are compliant with divorce agreements (some divorces require maintaining a policy for child support or alimony).
• Advise on changing beneficiaries for life insurance, IRAs, and investment accounts.
• Assist in navigating insurance disputes that arise post-divorce.

Other Steps To Consider After Divorce

While Bosshard Parke focuses on legal services, there are additional personal and financial steps to take after divorce:

• Establish a new budget based on your income and expenses.
• Monitor your credit report to ensure no joint debt remains in your name.
• Update your address with the post office, DMV, and employer if you have moved.
• Change passwords and secure online accounts, especially for financial and legal records.

Bosshard Parke Can Help You Move Forward

Divorce is not just a personal transition—it’s a legal one that requires careful planning and execution to protect your rights and assets. At Bosshard Parke, our experienced attorneys in La Crosse and Sparta provide comprehensive legal support to ensure your post-divorce transition is smooth and secure.

If you need assistance updating your will, enforcing divorce agreements, handling financial or property matters, or making modifications to court orders, we are here to help.

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult an attorney at Bosshard Parke for personalized legal guidance.