What Happens After a Divorce?

 Posted on November 23, 2015 in Divorce

After you receive your judgment from the court finalizing your divorce, you may feel a sense of relief. However, even after a divorce is final, there may be additional issues.

In the months and years after the divorce, you may need to go back to court for modifications or for enforcement actions.

Updating Personal Documents and Complying With Orders

The court may have legally terminated your marriage, however you probably have several accounts and insurance policies that still list your previous spouse. During the divorce you are often not allowed to make any changes to things such as lists of dependents or beneficiaries. However, once the divorce is final, it is important that you update everything to reflect your new situation. This includes updating the following:

• Will;
• Life insurance beneficiary;
• Retirement account beneficiary;
• Emergency contact for health insurance; and
• Bank account information.

You may be ordered by the court to change or to keep certain beneficiary designations on various accounts as part of the property settlement. You must follow these orders right away to avoid being held in contempt of court.

Heading Back to Court

Sometimes a divorce is just one battle in a longer fight between ex-spouses-couples may find themselves back in court to ask for modifications to child support, custody, or spousal maintenance. If one spouse is not following court orders, the other spouse may have no choice but to bring an enforcement action in court to compel the spouse to meet his or her responsibilities.

Not every disagreement or late payment after a divorce is final is a reason to head back to court. Still, filing for either a modification or enforcement action may be the only way to protect your rights.

If the requirements for filing these actions are met, the court often has broad authority to make changes and order things such as fines and the payment of attorney fees. In some cases, what seems like a simple request for a modification of parenting time, turns into a larger battle over custody. Before you decide to head back to court, you need to consult with a family law attorney who understands post-divorce issues.

Speaking With an Illinois Divorce Attorney

If you have any questions about modifications or the steps needed to be taken after your divorce, please speak with a knowledgeable DuPage County divorce attorney. Call The Stogsdill Law Firm, P.C. today at 630-462-9500.

Source:

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=075000050HPt%2E+IV&ActID=2086&ChapterID=59&SeqStart=3800000&SeqEnd=5300000