A lot of folks think the gavel drops, the papers are signed, and that is it. Divorce over, move on. But the truth is, the real work often starts after the decree is entered.

Here are a few things every newly divorced person needs to know:

The Clock Starts Ticking

• You only have 30 days to appeal or file a motion to alter or amend. After that, the orders are locked in unless both parties agree to a change. Do not sit on your hands.

Property Division Is Permanent

Once property is divided, it is done. The house, the accounts, the debts, those orders cannot be modified later. The only way to change them is through appeal, written agreement, or court error.

Enforcing Orders

If your ex is not following the decree, you do not have to suffer in silence. Keep written records, try a polite written request first, and if that fails, your lawyer can take it back to court. Judges do not like unnecessary delay, so move sooner rather than later.

Things You Need to Update Right Away

• Beneficiaries: Life insurance, retirement accounts, annuities. If your ex is still listed, they may still collect.
• Wills and estate plans: Write a new will.
• Health insurance: COBRA coverage is available, but you usually have only 60 days to apply.
• Credit cards: Close joint accounts, even if your decree says your ex is responsible. Creditors do not care what the court order says, they will still come after you if your name is on the account.

Custody, Support, and Alimony

Parenting plans and support orders can be modified, but only if there is a substantial change of circumstances and only from the date a petition is filed. No court is going to rewrite history or give you credit retroactively.

Review All Those Documents You Worked For So Hard

Your marital dissolution agreement (TN cases) and property separation agreement (MS cases) contains key information and timelines, make sure you review it before you file it away. It should spell out what needs to be done in order to wind up the marriage. Some examples of this may be to transfer a portion of retirement accounts, refinance a debt, transfer title to a car, set up a life insurance policy, or retrieve personal belongings from a home. Most of these task come with deadlines, make sure you know what they are and put them down on your calendar. Without doing the actually steps outlined in these documents, you end up feeling like your halfway divorced. Do the work. Also, consider saving receipts, calendars, texts, emails, anything that shows payments, parenting time, or agreements. You may never need them, but if a fight crops up years later, you will be glad you kept a paper trail.

Lawyer Bill’s Advice

Divorce may end in court, but the responsibilities do not. Take care of your obligations early, keep good records, and get advice before making changes. That is how you make sure your fresh start does not come with old baggage.