The after-divorce checklist

Once the final order comes through, most people just want to stop thinking about divorce for a while. That's completely fair. But there are a handful of things worth doing in the first few weeks, because leaving them can cause real problems later, sometimes years later.

Work through this at your own pace. Not everything will apply to you.

Legal loose ends

• Keep your final order safe. You'll need it to change your name, remarry and update records. If you divorced online, download it and keep a copy somewhere secure. If you divorced before April 2022, the equivalent document is called a decree absolute.
• Check your financial order is in place. The divorce on its own doesn't end financial claims between you. If you don't have a court order dealing with money, property and pensions, your ex could still make a claim in future. If you agreed a settlement, make sure it was made into a consent order. Our guide to divorce costs explains why the £62 fee is worth it.
• Carry out what the order says. If the house is being transferred or sold, or a pension is being shared, make sure each step actually happens. Pension sharing orders need to be sent to the pension provider, and property transfers need registering with HM Land Registry.
• Diary any deadlines in your order, such as when maintenance ends or when the house must be sold.

Your will and who inherits

In England and Wales, once you're divorced, your will is treated as if your ex-spouse had died. Any gift to them, or any appointment of them as executor, no longer takes effect, but the rest of the will stands (HMRC). That can leave your estate going somewhere you didn't intend.

The safest thing is to make a new will. GOV.UK recommends reviewing your will after any major change such as separation or divorce (GOV.UK). If you have children, use it to say who you'd want to look after them, and think about setting up a trust if they're young.

Also review any lasting power of attorney. If you named your ex as your attorney, divorce will usually end their appointment, but you should check your documents and make new arrangements so you're not left without one.

Divorce changes your will automatically, but not always in the way you'd want. Make a new one.

Pensions and insurance

• Update pension nomination forms (sometimes called expression of wish forms) for every workplace and personal pension. These aren't changed by divorce, and many schemes will look at them when deciding who gets death benefits. Our pensions guide covers how pensions are split.
• Check your life insurance. Who is the policy written in trust for? If your financial order requires life cover to protect maintenance, make sure it's in place.
• Review other insurance, such as home, car and health cover, especially if the policy was in joint names or your ex is a named driver.
• Check your State Pension forecast and National Insurance record on GOV.UK.

Changing your name

If you want to go back to a previous name, you may not need a deed poll. Many organisations will accept your marriage certificate and your final order (or decree absolute) as evidence. Some won't, in which case you can make a deed poll. An enrolled deed poll, which is officially recorded, costs £53.05 (GOV.UK).

Places to update include your passport, driving licence, bank, employer, HMRC, GP and dentist, pension schemes, utilities and the electoral register.

Money, tax and bills

1. Close or convert joint accounts, and remove your ex as a cardholder or authorised user on anything in your name.
2. Get financially disassociated. Once you no longer share any credit, you can ask the credit reference agencies to remove the link between you, so their credit history doesn't affect yours (MoneyHelper).
3. Cancel Marriage Allowance if you were claiming it. Either of you can cancel once the relationship ends, and the change may be backdated to the start of the tax year (GOV.UK).
4. Claim the single person Council Tax discount if you now live alone. It takes 25% off your bill (GOV.UK).
5. Tell the benefits office about your change of circumstances if you claim Universal Credit or other benefits, and check whether you're now entitled to something new.
6. Move direct debits and bills into the right names: energy, water, broadband, phone contracts and subscriptions.
7. Change passwords on anything your ex might know the login for, including online banking, email, streaming services and shared cloud storage.

If you have children

• Make sure both of you are listed as contacts with the school, nursery and GP, unless a court order says otherwise.
• Update who receives Child Benefit if the children's main home has changed.
• Set up child maintenance if you haven't already. You can arrange it between you or use the Child Maintenance Service, which is free to apply to (GOV.UK).
• Check you have copies of the children's passports and birth certificates. If you want to take them abroad, you'll usually need the other parent's written permission.

And for you

The admin is the easy part to measure. The emotional side takes longer, and it's normal to feel a mix of relief and grief once it's all over. Be kind to yourself. If you're finding it hard, Relate offers counselling for individuals (Relate), and in England you can refer yourself to NHS Talking Therapies (NHS). Samaritans are there any time on 116 123.

Common questions

Sources

1. HMRC, Inheritance Tax Manual IHTM12075: partial revocation of a will
2. GOV.UK, Making a will: update your will
3. GOV.UK, Change your name by deed poll
4. GOV.UK, Marriage Allowance: if your circumstances change
5. GOV.UK, How Council Tax works: who has to pay
6. MoneyHelper, Joint bank accounts
7. GOV.UK, Child maintenance: paying through the Child Maintenance Service (updated 1 April 2026)

Keep reading

This guide is general information about life after divorce in England and Wales, not legal or financial advice. Rules and fees change, so check the sources above and speak to a qualified professional about your situation. Facts checked 1 October 2026.