This page provides important post-divorce information for Williams Legal Services clients.

For specific questions about your divorce judgment responsibilities, please contact our office directly.

Post-Divorce Action Guide

Financial Tasks

Account IndependenceTake Action Now: Contact all financial institutions within 30 days to remove your ex-spouse from joint accounts.

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Take Action Now

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Financial independence is your first priority. Contact your financial institutions immediately to separate joint accounts, including:

• Bank accounts
• Credit cards
• Investment accounts
• Life insurance policies
• Retirement accounts
• Safe deposit boxes
• Rewards accounts

You must also update all beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, life insurance, and other financial instruments. Remove your ex-spouse as a named beneficiary except where specifically required by your judgment.

Tax Status Change

Your tax filing status is determined by your marital status as of December 31. If divorced by that date, you'll file as single or head of household.

Child support has no tax impact - it's neither deductible for the payer nor taxable for the recipient. The custodial parent typically claims child-related tax benefits, including the Child Tax Credit ($2,000 per qualifying child) and Credit for Other Dependents ($500). These can be transferred to the non-custodial parent if specifically agreed upon.

Property transfers between divorcing spouses are generally not taxable, but consult a tax professional regarding your specific circumstances.