Who to Notify on Divorce

Your Decree Absolute has come through and you are divorced. You may have spent considerable time during the process sorting out documents and providing information but is there anything else you need to do? There are various practical steps you may need to take, particularly if you are reverting to your maiden name, moving home or perhaps want to ensure the smooth transfer of assets or outgoings into your sole name. The following is a non-exhaustive list of those you may need to contact with your new name, address, status or instructions:

• Banks and Building Societies, particularly those in joint names
• Loan Companies or Hire Purchase Companies
• Credit Card Companies
• Insurance Providers- check whether an existing policy can be transferred into your sole name or whether you need a new policy
• Pension Providers- check who the nominated beneficiaries are and consider whether they need changing
• Policies – check who the nominated beneficiaries are and consider whether they need changing
• Utility Companies
• Council Tax- if you will be the only adult in the home, can you claim a single person discount?
• Tax Office
• Benefits Office- the extent of your benefit entitlements may have altered as a result of the divorce
• Mortgage Company- does the mortgage need to be transferred to you or your ex-spouse?
• Landlord- does the name on the tenancy need to be changed?
• Store Cards
• Post Office- if you need post to be re-directed
• Passport Office
• Drivers Licence, Vehicle Registration Documents and Car Tax
• Schools
• Doctor, Dentist and any other health professionals
• Home Office- if you do not have permanent leave to remain in the UK
• Clubs, Subscriptions, Memberships
• Employer – you may need to change your emergency contact
• Wills- there are lots of issues to consider here including the identity of the: beneficiaries, executors, Guardians of any children. Specialist legal advice should be taken.
• Lasting Powers of Attorney- if you have an existing LPA it might name your ex-spouse as one of your Attorneys who can make decisions on your behalf. You may wish to consider changing this appointment.

You should be able to action most of the above list yourself but you will need to take specialist legal advice in relation to the more complex matters such as Wills, LPAs, mortgages, tenancies and pensions. At Family Law Associates we are able to assist you with all of these issues so do contact us if we can help.