The divorce checklist

It may sound strange to write a “divorce checklist” but the best London divorce solicitors will tell you that there are so many things to think about when you are going through a divorce, and so many emotions and distractions , that it is hard to think of everything that you need to do. From a practical point of view, a “divorce checklist” can help.

The top London divorce solicitors know that if you are thinking about a separation or divorce things can seem overwhelming. A divorce checklist can be one way to keep on top of things, because even if you have not got round to doing all the things on the list, you know what practical things you need to sort out.

How can OTS Solicitors help?

If you are thinking about a separation or divorce, you need a top London divorce solicitor who can help you with the legal advice you need and provide you with caring professional advice to help you sort out both the legal and practical implications of your separation.

The family law team at OTS Solicitors provide pragmatic, supportive advice on all aspects of your separation or divorce, including legal advice on children arrangements and your financial settlement options. Please call OTS Solicitors on 0203 959 9123 for a confidential discussion about how the family law team at OTS Solicitors can help you.

The divorce checklist

Some of the things that are on a divorce checklist are obvious ,some items on the list  will not have any relevance to your life, and for some who are not responsible for the practical day to day household affairs or legal affairs the whole idea of a list can seem a bit daunting. Finally, there are those who can hand the list to a personal assistant with instructions to work through the list.

The best London divorce solicitors say that whatever category you fall into, a divorce  checklist can be a useful reminder of “things to do”.

The children

The top London divorce solicitors say that when it comes to children most parents appreciate that you cannot be over organised. When children are going to spend time in two households, you may need to think about:

• Notifying school or nursery if a parent , grandparent or new childminder will be picking the children up from school or nursery so that they can amend their records as some schools and nurseries will not release a child to an adult unless they are on the “approved list”;
• If necessary, updating school and nursery emergency contact details;
• Providing a parent who is not used to having the day to day care of the children with a list of any allergies or other vital bits of information or making sure that they have an extra inhaler or some of the child’s prescription medicine so they are not stuck if the child has an asthma attack or is unwell;
• Buying extra bits of school uniform to make the handover easier and less stressful for all the family;
• Think about buying a parenting notebook if communication is difficult. That way you can hand the notebook over, with details of how much the child has eaten, if they have had an asthma attack, fallen over in the park etc., when the children goes to spend time with the other parent. The notebook can be handed back on return;
• Get a copy of the school calendar and school term dates so you can work out, in advance, how you will share the holidays. That means you should then be able to work out if you need extra childcare help from grandparents or need to sort out enrolment at summer camp or football club.

Practical things

The top London divorce solicitors say that when it comes to practical matters you may want to think about:

• Copying photographs or videos of the children and contact details for family and friends;
• Sorting out a postal redirect;
• Do you have a safe or safety deposit box? Who has access to it? Do you have your important paperwork , such as your passport, any immigration paperwork , the children’s passports etc. If you are thinking of changing your surname take legal advice as this may affect your passport and travel plans;
• Can you and your partner remotely access into mobile phone, email, and social media accounts? Do passwords need to be changed? If so, do not use anything that your partner is likely to be able to guess, such as the children’s date of birth or the pet’s name;
• Changing your dog’s pet tag and  your cat or dog’s microchip details if you have moved house or if there is a new emergency contact number;
• If your pet is insured and you have moved house you will need to inform the insurer as otherwise your pet may not be covered;
• If you have moved house informing the DVLA and your car insurance company as well as notifying any other relevant companies such as your bank or pension provider as well as going through your list of direct debits to check if they are all still necessary;
• If you are living in the house on your own or with minor children have you put in a claim for single persons council tax discount;
• If you have a joint bank account with your partner does the joint bank account need to be transferred to one of your names or frozen. Do you need to open a new bank account and transfer some standing orders and direct debits to that account;
• If you have private health care on your partner’s policy check how long you are covered for. Some health insurance policies will not cover you for claims after the date of separation but others will cover you until you get a decree absolute;
• Who has keys to the house? Does there need to be a discussion about changing the locks to the property or the return of keys;
• Where is your financial paperwork stored? If it is in the family study or on the family laptop do you need to remove or copy your financial paperwork before you separate;
• Do you have linked i-cloud storage or tracking apps installed on phones? Should these  be changed or removed;
• Do you need practical help or advice on how to use the temperamental boiler, information on when the boiler is next due for an annual service or any other practical household things before your partner moves out?

Legal stuff

The best London divorce solicitors say in the rush to sort out the children and the practical things it can be easy to forget the legal stuff involved in your separation or divorce. Although you will probably leave a top London divorce solicitor to sort out the legal stuff it is still important that you know what legal stuff needs sorting out.

• Do you have a Will? If so, do you need to change your Will? Do you need to make a Will?
• Do you have a power of attorney? If so, do you need to change the identities of your attorneys or make a new power of attorney?
• If a member of your close family has made a Will benefitting your partner or named him or her as an attorney in their power of attorney do, they need to change their legal paperwork;
• If your partner owns property in his or her sole name do you need to register a notice with the land registry;
• If you and your partner jointly own property together do you need to sever the joint tenancy;
• Do life insurance and pension nominations need to be changed?

The best London divorce solicitors say that the list is not exhaustive. It is just an example of some of the “to do” things that need to be thought about by you and your top London divorce solicitor when you are going through a separation or divorce.

How can OTS Solicitors help?

If you are thinking about a separation or divorce, you need a top London divorce solicitor on your side who can guide you through the practical and legal things that you need to think about when you are separating or divorcing.

OTS Solicitors can help you with the legal advice you need and provide you with caring and pragmatic advice to help you sort out both the legal and practical implications of your separation.

The family law team at OTS Solicitors provide supportive advice on all aspects of your separation or divorce, including legal advice on children arrangements and your financial settlement options. Please call OTS Solicitors on 0203 959 9123 for a confidential discussion about how the family law team at OTS Solicitors can help you.