If you recently finalized your divorce, you may still be adjusting to changes in your day-to-day life, including new custody schedules, financial responsibilities and household decisions. One important area that you might have overlooked is your estate plan. If it still names your former spouse in key roles, that can create confusion and unnecessary stress later. Revisiting your plan now helps protect your family and keeps important decisions in the right hands.
Beneficiary designations
Some of your most valuable assets, such as retirement accounts, life insurance policies and bank accounts, transfer directly to the person named as beneficiary. These forms take priority over your will. If your ex-spouse is still listed, they may receive those funds, even if your divorce judgment says otherwise.
To change this, you must contact each account provider and complete new beneficiary forms. Replacing your former spouse with a trusted relative or your child’s guardian can help prevent confusion and protect your savings for the people you intend to support.
Will and trusts
Your will outlines who manages your estate and who receives your property. If your ex remains listed as executor or beneficiary, that could delay the process or cause friction among family members. Parents should also review any guardianship nominations, especially if they no longer want their former spouse to serve in that role.
For those with trusts, check who serves as trustee and whether the distribution terms still make sense. Updating these documents helps your children or loved ones administer your estate smoothly and follow your intentions without unnecessary conflict.
Powers of Attorney and health care directives
These documents name someone to act on your behalf if you become unable to manage your own affairs. A financial power of attorney can make banking or legal decisions. A healthcare directive allows someone to access medical records or make care-related choices.
If these forms still name your ex-spouse, they may still be legally valid. You can replace them by drafting new documents and clearly naming someone else. Choosing a person you still rely on can help avoid disputes and ensure your wishes are respected.
Your future deserves a plan that reflects your present
Divorce changes who you rely on and how your future should be handled. By updating these essential parts of your estate plan, you gain peace of mind, reduce future problems and keep your affairs aligned with your life now, not the one you left behind.
