What to Do with Important Legal Documents After a Divorce

Divorce is a major life change—emotionally, financially, and legally. Beyond the emotional adjustments, there’s a mountain of paperwork that needs to be sorted, updated, and properly stored.

From updating legal records to organizing financial documents and securing personal information, taking control of your important paperwork after a divorce can help protect your future and give you peace of mind.

Not sure where to start? Here’s a step-by-step guide to what to do with your important legal documents post-divorce—and how myDox can help you stay organized.

1. Secure Your Divorce Decree & Settlement Agreement

Your divorce decree is the most important legal document after your divorce is finalized. It outlines:

• The official terms of your divorce
• Custody arrangements (if applicable)
• Division of assets and debts
• Alimony or child support agreements

💡 Why You Need It:

• You may need to show proof of divorce for name changes, financial accounts, or legal matters
•  If your ex is required to pay alimony or child support, your decree is legal proof of the arrangement
• If disputes arise later, you’ll need quick access to the original agreement

Example: You’re applying for a mortgage or refinancing a loan—and the lender asks for proof of divorce. Instead of searching through paperwork, you pull up your divorce decree in myDox and send it instantly.

2. Update Your Name & Identification Documents

If you’re changing your name after divorce, you’ll need to update:

• Social Security card – Required before updating other documents
• Driver’s license or state ID – Needed for travel, banking, and legal transactions
• Passport – Update before any international travel
• Bank accounts & credit cards – Ensures your name matches your financial records

💡 Why You Need These Updates:

• Having mismatched documents can create legal and financial complications
• Traveling with an outdated passport can cause delays at security checkpoints
• A legal name change must be reflected across all official records

Example: You’re booking a flight for an upcoming trip, but your passport still has your old last name. Instead of panicking, you pull up your legal name change documents in myDox and submit them to the passport office—saving time and frustration.

3. Review & Update Your Will, Trust, & Beneficiaries

One of the biggest post-divorce mistakes people make? Forgetting to update their estate planning documents.

Documents to review and update:

• Will & trust – Ensure assets go to the right people
• Power of attorney (POA) – You may no longer want your ex to have legal authority over your affairs
• Medical directives – Update who can make healthcare decisions on your behalf
• Life insurance & retirement accounts – Adjust beneficiaries if needed

💡 Why This Matters:

• If your ex is still listed as a beneficiary, they may legally inherit your assets
• If you don’t update your power of attorney, they could still have legal control over finances and healthcare decisions
• If you remarry, keeping an outdated will can create legal conflicts for your new spouse

Example: Years after your divorce, you get remarried—only to realize your ex-spouse is still listed as the beneficiary on your life insurance. With myDox, you keep track of estate documents and update them easily—before it’s too late.

4. Organize Child Custody & Support Documents

If you share children with your ex, keeping custody agreements and child support records organized is crucial.

Key documents to store:

• Custody agreement – Outlines visitation schedules, decision-making rights, and responsibilities
• Child support payment records – Proof of payments (or non-payments)
• Medical & school records – Easily accessible for both parents

💡 Why You Need These:

• If disputes arise, having organized records prevents confusion and legal battles
• Ensures both parents have access to school, medical, and financial records
• Helps keep track of any changes to custody or support orders over time

Example: Your ex disputes a missed child support payment, claiming they paid on time. Since you’ve stored all child support records in myDox, you instantly pull up proof of payment—avoiding unnecessary legal drama.

5. Update Your Financial Accounts & Legal Agreements

A divorce doesn’t just affect relationships—it affects your finances, too.

Documents to review and update:

• Bank accounts & credit cards – Close joint accounts and open new ones in your name
• Mortgage & lease agreements – Remove your ex’s name (or yours) if necessary
• Utility bills & subscriptions – Ensure all bills are in the correct name
• Tax returns & filings – Adjust filing status and financial records

💡 Why This is Important:

• Keeping joint accounts could leave you financially vulnerable if your ex misuses them
• Unresolved legal agreements (like co-signed loans) can affect your credit score
• Incorrect tax filings can lead to IRS penalties

Example: You realize your ex is still listed on your mortgage. Instead of scrambling for paperwork, you retrieve your divorce decree and refinance documents in myDox to get everything updated properly.

6. Protect Your Digital & Personal Information

Divorce can also mean separating digital accounts, passwords, and shared files.

Steps to secure your information:

• Change passwords on all personal accounts (email, social media, banking, etc.)
• Update emergency contacts on medical records and financial accounts
• Check your credit report for any unexpected changes

💡 Why This is Crucial:

• Prevents unauthorized access to your accounts and sensitive information
• Helps detect any fraudulent activity (like unauthorized credit applications)
• Ensures your personal and financial data is 100% under your control

Example: You notice a new credit card account opened in your name—but you didn’t apply for it. Thanks to myDox keeping your financial records organized, you catch it early and report it immediately, avoiding credit damage.

Final Thoughts: Stay Organized & Move Forward with Confidence

Divorce comes with a lot of paperwork, but keeping everything organized doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

With myDox, you can:

• Store all your critical post-divorce documents in one secure place
• Update and access them anytime, anywhere
• Share important files securely when needed
• Protect your financial and legal future by keeping everything in order

Divorce is a fresh start—make sure your important documents reflect your new chapter. Get started with myDox today and take control of your future.