law, govt & politics / legal issues

Divorce and Separation To-Do List

Having a checklist prevents you from forgetting the practical, miscellaneous issues that arise from when one is separating or going through a divorce.

Nalanda Robson
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To-Do
To-Do
Text
Category
Notes
Done

Category
Bank accounts and credit cards

4

Open a bank account in your name only .

Bank accounts
Bank accounts and credit cards
5

Think about closing off joint bank accounts.

Joint accounts
Bank accounts and credit cards
6

Change your PIN and online banking password if you think your ex may know them or be able to guess them.

PIN and password
Bank accounts and credit cards
7

Cancel all joint credit cards

Credit cards
Bank accounts and credit cards

Category
Care of child

15

Contact: Family Relationship Advice Line 1800 050 321

Parenting arrangement advice
Care of child
16

Contact: Family Dispute Resolution provider

Parenting plan
Care of child
17

Speak to your lawyer about a private child support agreement.

Child support payments
Care of child
18

Let your child's school know that you have separated and update your contact details.

School contacts and costs
Care of child
19

Provide the school with a copy of parenting agreement

School contacts and costs
Care of child
20

Ensure a plan to cover school expenses

School contacts and costs
Care of child

Category
Computer, emails and electronic

34

Internet banking

Change pin numbers and passwords
Computer, emails and electronic

Category
Credit Cards

30

Who is the primary card holder?

Questions to ask
Credit Cards
31

Should the credit limit be changed?

Questions to ask
Credit Cards
32

Who is the secondary card holder?

Questions to ask
Credit Cards
33

If you have cancelled the card, tell the other party you have done so

Recommended
Credit Cards

Category
Documentation

21

Sort of property arrangements with lawyer or call Family Dispute Resolution provider

Property settlement
Documentation
22

Documents indicating the value of superannuation

Have originals or copies of
Documentation
23

Stating the amount owing for any liabilities, debts, credit cards

Have originals or copies of
Documentation
24

Any lump sum contributions

Have originals or copies of
Documentation
25

Liabilities held by one spouse held at start of relationship

Have originals or copies of
Documentation
29

Have post office redirect your mail somewhere secure

Mail redirection
Documentation

Category
Emergency Contact

39

Change next of kin emergency contact details. Nominate someone else

Next of Kin
Emergency Contact

Category
General

1

Who will keep the cars?

Questions to ask
General
2

Who will stay in the house?

Questions to ask
General
3

Who will keep the household furniture?

Questions to ask
General

Category
Mortgage

8

Let your lender know you have separated

Lender contact
Mortgage
9

Cover mortgage repayments during the property settlement

Repayments
Mortgage
10

Cancel any redraw options on home loans or ask the bank to require join signatures for any withdrawals

Redraw
Mortgage
11

If your home is only in your ex's name, talk to your lawyer about whether you need to protect the property with a caveat.

Legal protection
Mortgage
12

(if you are staying at home) Put all utility bills in your name

Utility bills
Mortgage
13

If it's hard to keep up with bills, talk to company and let them know about your financial hardship

Debt
Mortgage
14

(If you are moving out of the house) Take your name off all utility bills

Utility bills
Mortgage

Category
Motor

35

Check whose name it is on the car registration?

Registration
Motor
36

Is the insurance in your name?

Insurance
Motor
37

Has insurance for the car been paid?

Insurance
Motor
38

Who has the authority to act on the account?

Insurance
Motor

Category
Will, insurance, super

26

Update your will

Will
Will, insurance, super
27

Update your superannuation

Super
Will, insurance, super
28

Updating any powers of attorney you have

Powers of attorney
Will, insurance, super