The First 90 Days After Divorce: Your Complete Financial Clean-Up Guide
By Donna Cates, CDFA® - Certified Divorce Financial Analyst
Divorce is not just an emotional journey — it's a financial one too. And the first 90 days after your divorce are critical.
I'm Donna Cates, a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst. I help people just like you navigate the money side of divorce so you can move forward with confidence.
Today, I'm walking you through the must-do financial steps to protect your future, regain control, and avoid costly mistakes. Whether you've just finalized your divorce or you've been divorced for a while but never did a financial clean-up, this guide is for you.
By the end of this post, you'll know exactly what to do to secure your financial future.
Step One: Retitle and Reallocate Assets
This means making sure accounts and property are in your name only.
What you need to do:
Transfer ownership of checking and savings accounts
Retitle your investment accounts
Update car titles
Record a new deed for any property you were awarded
Remove your ex from joint credit cards
Remove your ex from loans
Remove your ex from utilities
This isn't about being petty — it's about protecting your financial independence.
Step Two: Update Your Beneficiary Designations
This is huge because beneficiaries override your will.
That means if you don't update them, your ex could still inherit your retirement accounts or life insurance — even if your will says otherwise.
Update these immediately:
IRA
401(k)
Life insurance
Annuities
Bank accounts
Employer benefits
Make sure they reflect your current wishes.
Step Three: Revisit Your Estate Plan
Your estate plan needs to reflect your new life.
Take these actions:
Create or update your will
Revoke or adjust any trusts
Update your medical power of attorney
Update your financial power of attorney
Reassign guardianship if you have children
Make sure all legal documents match if you changed your name
This ensures your decisions — not your divorce decree — guide your future.
Step Four: Review Your Insurance
Insurance is often overlooked, but it's critical.
What to address:
Confirm your life insurance is still adequate and updated
Secure a new health plan if you lost coverage through your ex
Update homeowners insurance
Update renters insurance
Update auto insurance
Consider disability insurance
Consider long-term care coverage
Protecting your income is just as important as protecting your assets.
Step Five: Update Your Tax Planning
Divorce changes your taxes in significant ways.
What you need to do:
Adjust your withholding with a new W-4
Update your filing status
Talk with a tax advisor about alimony
Discuss child support implications with your advisor
Understand property sales tax consequences
Address retirement account split tax implications
Don't leave this step to guesswork — retirement account splits can have major tax consequences.
Step Six: Rebuild Your Foundation
It's time to rebuild and move forward.
Your action plan:
Create a budget based on your new income and expenses
Establish an emergency fund
Open credit accounts in your name if needed
Take steps to rebuild your credit if it was damaged
Update your long-term financial plan
Life after divorce isn't just about surviving — it's about thriving.
The Six Areas Every Divorced Person Must Address
These are the six areas you cannot afford to ignore:
Retitle assets
Update beneficiaries
Revisit your estate plan
Review insurance
Update tax planning
Rebuild your foundation
I've just walked you through a lot of information. If you're feeling overwhelmed, that's completely normal.
Here's what I want you to know: You don't have to figure this out alone.
As a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA), I specialize in helping people navigate exactly this transition. I've guided hundreds of clients through their post-divorce financial clean-up, and I can help you too.
Whether you work with me or another qualified professional, please don't try to wing this on your own. The stakes are too high, and the potential for costly mistakes is too great.
Ready to Take Control of Your Financial Future?
Grab my FREE Post-Divorce Financial Clean-up Checklist when you pre-order my new released book— a comprehensive, step-by-step guide that ensures you won't miss a single critical task.
Join my Second Saturday Divorce Workshop — a monthly workshop where I walk you through all of this in detail and answer your specific questions.
Schedule a one-on-one consultation — let's create a personalized financial plan for your unique situation.
You didn't just survive your divorce. You're building something better.
Let me help you get it right.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Every divorce situation is unique, and you should consult with qualified professionals (including a CDFA, attorney, and CPA) before making financial decisions related to your divorce.