The following should be accomplished immediately after the divorce decree is issued (if not prior to the divorce if possible):
1. The biggest asset is normally the family house. If the decree orders one party to have the house, ensure that a deed is signed immediately. The deed should not have been dated prior to the divorce decree, as a spouse will still retain interest in the property due to his/her marital status, even if deeded to the other spouse.
2. The house should also be refinanced to remove the other party’s name from the mortgage, even if the other party agrees to hold harmless.
3. Titles to vehicles should be signed over to the other party or the vehicle refinanced to eliminate the other party’s interest.
4. Joint credit accounts should be paid off and closed. There should no longer be any joint accounts or you could be held liable for the debts of your ex-spouse.
5. Joint banking accounts should be closed.
6. If a name change was included in the order, change your drivers license, contact the Social Security Administration, and change all banking and credit records.
7. Change your will (even though portions referring to your spouse are void according to Iowa state law, it is still advisable to change the will).
8. Change your insurance. Be certain that you still have insurance coverage and that beneficiaries are changed. Unlike a will, a spouse as a beneficiary under an insurance policy is not voided automatically by law upon a divorce.
9. Change the beneficiaries on everything- including insurance, retirement accounts, IRA’s, bank accounts, and all other assets.
10. Notify all key people about the finalized divorce. Contact your employer, Social Security, schools, doctors, dentists, and change all accounts. This is especially important if child custody was an issue.
11. Make all the filings required in the decree such as deeds, titles, retirement accounts.
12. Your attorney must file information with the court if child support is ordered to include name, address, phone number, drivers license, social security number, name and contact information for employer.
13. The Petitioner's attorney must file the Vital Record Form with the Clerk of Court.
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