Your Post-Divorce Financial Checklist (First 90 Days)

The first 90 days after your divorce is finalized are critical for your financial health. Miss a step now and you could be paying for it — literally — for years. Print this checklist and work through it systematically.

Week 1: Emergency Financial Steps

• Open individual checking and savings accounts in your name only
• Redirect your paycheck direct deposit to your new account
• Change passwords on all financial accounts, email, and cloud storage
• Remove your ex as an authorized user on your credit cards
• Contact your auto insurance company to split into individual policies

Week 2: Credit and Debt

• Pull your credit report from all three bureaus (free at AnnualCreditReport.com)
• Identify and close all joint credit accounts
• Dispute any errors or accounts you do not recognize
• Set up credit monitoring — your ex's financial behavior may still affect your score if joint accounts remain open
• If your credit score is below 650, look into a secured credit card to begin rebuilding

Week 3-4: Legal and Insurance Updates

• Update beneficiaries on life insurance, retirement accounts, and bank accounts
• Update your will, power of attorney, and healthcare proxy
• Enroll in health insurance if you were on your ex's plan (you have a 60-day special enrollment window)
• Update homeowner's or renter's insurance
• File the QDRO with your ex's retirement plan administrator — do not delay this

Month 2: Budget and Planning

• Track every dollar you spend for 30 days — no judgment, just data
• Create a single-income budget using the 50/30/20 framework
• Factor in child support and alimony (paying or receiving) but do not count on variable income as guaranteed
• Identify subscriptions and services you can cancel or downgrade
• Start building an emergency fund — even $25 per paycheck adds up

Month 3: Tax and Long-Term Planning

• Consult a CPA about your new tax filing status and implications
• Confirm which parent claims each child as a dependent
• Review your retirement savings and adjust contributions
• Set three financial goals for the next year (emergency fund, debt payoff, credit score)
• Consider meeting with a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst for long-term planning

For a deeper dive, read our guide on rebuilding your finances after divorce. If you need help with property decisions, visit Divorce Real Estate.