Legal Name Change After Divorce: Update Your Info

Posted on by Robert J. Reeves

Everything is finalized, and you just got a legal name change after your divorce. However, you realize that all of your documents and accounts have your married name on them. There are so many things that you’ll need to update that it may feel overwhelming. Just take one step at a time and you will get it all changed over in no time.

Legal Name Change After Divorce: What Needs Updating

Social Security Card

Before you can proceed with changing over many other documents, you will need to get an updated social security card. Getting a legal name change after a divorce is one of the qualifying reasons that the social security office will let you get an updated card.

In order to get a new card, you will need to go to your local social office. If you don’t want to wait in a line, there may be appointments available if you plan ahead of time. If you are a US citizen, you will be required to bring several original documents with you. These include a proof of name change, so your divorce certificate or court order for a name change. You will need to bring a form of identification, such as a passport or US driver’s license (even if it has your married name). Also, you’ll need proof of citizenship, such as a passport or US birth certificate.

Driver’s License

Once you have an updated social security card, you can go to the DMV to get a new driver’s license. They will not allow you to get a license with a legal name change unless you have a new social security card already. Some states require you to let the DMV know of your legal name change within 60 days.

You’ll need to bring your updated social security card and name change documents with you. Check with your state’s DMV to see what other documentation you may need to bring as well. When you update your driver’s license, you will also be able to update your voter registration as well.

Financial Institutions

Don’t forget to update your credit cards after a legal name change. Those can usually be updated on the internet or over the phone. However, they will typically want proof of the name change.

You will want to contact your bank as well. They will be able to help you update your name on your bank accounts and debit cards.

Internet

Depending on if your email address included your married name, you may need to update your email address after you get a legal name change. Likewise, you’ll want to update social media accounts as well. Don’t forget to share the new information with your friends and family, but in the meantime, you can set up an email forwarding system so that emails to your old email address still get to you.

There are many things to consider if you are going to get a legal name change after your divorce. If you do decide to change your name, there will be documents and accounts you’ll need to update as well. It may seem daunting, but by taking one step at a time, you’ll have everything switched over in no time.

What to Do About Visitation Safety Concerns

Posted on by Robert J. Reeves
It can be panic-inducing to deal with visitation safety concerns when it comes to your children being around your ex. If you have a co-parent that is unpredictable, abusive, or otherwise not trustworthy around your kids, there are ways that you can protect them. First of all, enlist the help of an experienced attorney who can help you make your case to a judge. Seek sole custody of your children so that you’ll be the only parent responsible for making legal decisions about them. Consider asking for a protective order if you feel they are in acute danger. And finally, consider asking for supervised visitation if you feel that your children shouldn’t be alone with their other parent. Hopefully, you and your attorney can win your case and find an outcome that alleviates your concerns.

What to Do About Visitation Safety Concerns: Protecting Your Children

Enlist an Attorney

If you have visitation safety concerns, consult an attorney immediately. Don’t take drastic action on your own. Instead, find an experienced lawyer who can help you make a case before a judge about why you feel there are safety concerns with your ex being around your children. The attorney can go over various options and help you gather evidence for your case.

Seek Sole Custody

You likely want to seek sole custody if you have visitation safety concerns about your ex. If you have sole legal custody, it means that you can make all decisions on your children’s behalf. For example, medical or educational decisions. If you have sole physical custody, that means that your children will live with you only. Often that means that your ex has visitation rights, but the circumstances of those vary from case to case.

Ask for a Protective Order

You and your attorney might decide to pursue a protective order on behalf of yourself or your children if you’re dealing with visitation safety concerns. You might be asked to show evidence of abusive or dangerous behavior. For example, texts or messages with threats. You might need to involve others like therapists, child protective services, or social workers.

Consider Supervised Visitation

Finally, one last route you can take if you’re dealing with visitation safety concerns is to ask for supervised visitation. This means that anytime your ex interacts with your children, they’ll be closely monitored by a third party. This might be a social worker, psychologist, or other trained professional. Furthermore, the court will decide where these visits take place, like a child protective services department or designated facility. If you have safety concerns about your children being around your ex, it can be quite frightening and frustrating to deal with as a parent. The court takes concerns like this very seriously. Hire an attorney immediately who can help you begin preparing a case to seek sole custody of your children. They can also help you gather documentation and properly file a protective order or restraining order. Finally, they can help make a case for only allowing supervised visitation between your ex and your children. Dealing with visitation safety concerns can be very difficult to manage, but hopefully, you and your attorney can come up with a plan that makes you feel more comfortable about your children’s well-being.

Dealing with a Financially Irresponsible Spouse

Posted on by Robert J. Reeves
Dealing with a financially irresponsible spouse can be incredibly frustrating, and it could put you and your family at risk. While everybody splurges occasionally, if you are dealing with a partner that consistently abuses your finances, it can cause irrevocable havoc in your life. It’s important to confront the issue head-on and be honest about what’s going on. Try to pinpoint where the actual problem is and focus on fixing it. You might need to take over control of your family finances, at least until your partner can be more trustworthy with money. And finally, in extreme cases, you might need to take further steps to protect yourself like opening your bank accounts. Hopefully, you and your partner can work through any money issues and get things back on track quickly.

Dealing with a Financially Irresponsible Spouse: Protecting Yourself

Be Honest About the Issues

When dealing with a financially irresponsible spouse, it’s important, to be honest and upfront about what’s going on. Sit them down for a discussion about why you feel there is a spending issue. Hopefully, they’ll be honest with you about what’s going on. Seeking help from a marriage counselor or therapist can help make discussions like these go more smoothly.

Try to Pinpoint the Problem

Try to brainstorm together to figure out what the source of trouble is for a financially irresponsible spouse. For example, is it eating out at restaurants, spending on clothes, or impulse purchases? Is it not being able to foresee bills coming up and saving properly? Or is it something more serious like a gambling addiction? Finding the source of the trouble might help you find solutions for fixing it.

Take Control of Finances

If you have a financially irresponsible spouse, it might be time to take control of family finances. However, this doesn’t mean that you have to cut your partner out of decisions. Just make sure that you are the one paying bills, and overseeing spending. Move bills to your name so that you can be sure they are paid on time. Tell your partner when you’re paying for things, and for how much.

Protect Yourself

Finally, you might have to take more drastic measures if your spouse is out of control with their spending. Failing to pay bills on time, or maxing out credit cards can seriously hinder your credit. You might consider getting them a secured credit card, or even opening up bank accounts in your name where you can pay household bills and begin saving. You might love your partner very much, but they could be devastating to you and your children financially. It’s important to take steps to protect yourself and your family if you are living with a financially irresponsible spouse. It might be issued with overspending, failing to save money, or lapsing on bills, but regardless, it can do a lot of damage to your life and credit score. Try to sit your partner down for an honest conversation about finances, and let them know your concerns. See if they can help you find solutions to the issue, or commit to making changes. Consider taking over family finances so that you can ensure bills are paid on time. And finally, you might need to think about opening up your bank accounts, or removing your spouse’s name from bills so that you have more control. Hopefully, the two of you can seek counseling and work through this issue so that you can set and reach financial goals together.

Meeting People After Divorce

Posted on by Robert J. Reeves
Meeting people after a divorce can feel a little intimidating, whether you’re looking to make some new friends or potentially meet a new partner. Divorce can be isolating, as can a dysfunctional marriage. Many people, go through the divorce proceeding and then realize they are lonely when all of it is over. Be patient with yourself and remember to take plenty of time before moving on to a new partner. A divorce support group is a great way to make friends with others who have been through similar circumstances. You might also meet somebody new if you expand your horizons and try some new hobbies. Finally, don’t underestimate the power of a friendly attitude. Hopefully, you can surround yourself with supportive friends and maybe even think about dating again.

Meeting People After Divorce: Getting Back Out There

Be Patient

Meeting people after a divorce can take some time. You might struggle to maintain friendships with couples that you knew when you were married. Or you might have lost touch with old friends over the years. It’s never too late to reach out to past acquaintances. But if you’re looking to meet some new people, give yourself time. If you’re considering dating again, make sure that you’ve taken plenty of time to process your feelings and heal from the divorce.

Divorce Support Group

A divorce support group can help meet people after a divorce. There are various kinds of support groups, and you might need to shop around to find the best fit for you. Some groups meet to talk through their experiences, and groups meet to go on group hikes. And everything in between! Explore local groups and see if anything clicks for you.

Try a New Hobby

Trying a new hobby is another great way of meeting people after a divorce. Immerse yourself in something new and exciting. Now is the time to focus on your own needs, so explore something that you’ve always wanted to do. Improving at a new skill like salsa dancing or painting will also give you a self-confidence boost.

Be Open and Friendly

Finally, sometimes meeting people after divorce is all about just having an open and friendly attitude. Be kind to people when you’re out and about. Say hello to strangers, or strike up a conversation while you wait for your coffee order. Say yes to invitations from friends, even if you worry you might not know many people at the event. You never know where you might meet your next special someone. Going through the process of divorce can be very isolating and draining for many people. It can be stressful too and keeps you busy all the time. Often, this means that friendships take a back seat. Plus, if your social group mainly consists of couples, it can be difficult to feel connected. Meeting people after divorce that you have more in common with can be helpful, especially if you’re curious about getting back into the dating world. Consider divorce support groups and meetup groups if you’re looking to connect with other divorcees. Additionally, now is a great time to delve into a new hobby and take some classes. Finally, have a friendly and approachable attitude when you’re out and about, and try to say yes to social invitations whenever possible. Hopefully, by being brave and putting yourself out there, you’ll meet some great friends and make some lasting connections.