Close X

What do I do now that I'm Divorced?

Posted by Christopher Holwell | Jan 05, 2018 | 0 Comments

This is a very common question we receive from our clients. "What do I do now?"

Number 1: We provide a fairly comprehensive list to our clients (see below) of actions they should take.

  • Save a copy of your Final Judgment, Settlement Agreement, and Allocation of Parental Responsibility in a safe place. If you have an Allocation of Parental Responsibility, you will need to refer back to it often to remember the timesharing schedules and other important details.
  • Change your estate planning documents. If you previously had a Will appointing your former spouse as personal representative or beneficiary, you may want to have it amended. Our office will give you a referral to an estate planning attorney if necessary.
  • Meet with your Financial Planner to reassess your financial needs and how your financial plan should be modified to better match your needs.
  • Change the beneficiary on any life insurance policies.
  • If necessary, change the titles on assets like your home and cars.
  • If necessary, you may need to insure your car and home in your name only; you will want to contact your insurance agent.
  • Take care of closing all joint bank and credit card accounts.
  • Obtain individual auto, rental and health insurance.
  • If your name has been legally changed, you will need to request a new Social Security Card, driver's license, and passport. You will also need to change your name on all bank and credit card accounts, and notify your children's school.
  • Keep records of all alimony and child support payments paid or received. Also, record payments for extracurricular and uncovered medical expenses.
  • Keep a log of any future incidents involving the children.
  • You may also want to schedule appointments with a counselor, therapist or other professional to help you transition. Our office will give you a referral to professionals who specialize in therapy and family counseling.

Number 2: If you don't already, exercise. Crossfit, Orange Theory, Lifetime, etc. Do classes (or get a coach/personal trainer) so someone else will work you through. Don't workout alone; that's not the point. It's been proven that exercise does the following to your body:

  • It helps normalize your glucose, insulin, and leptin levels by optimizing insulin/leptin receptor sensitivity
  • Exercise-improved insulin/leptin receptor sensitivity is perhaps the most important factor for optimizing your overall health and preventing chronic disease
  • Exercise also encourages your brain to work at optimum capacity by causing your nerve cells to multiply, strengthening their interconnections, and protecting them from damage
  • Unexpected side effects of exercise include improved sexual function, changes in gene expression, clearer skin, and improved mood and sleep
  • Research shows that the “secret” to increased productivity and happiness on any given day is a long-term investment in regular exercise, and a little each day appears to go further than a lot once or twice a week

So in short, exercise makes you feel better, look better, sleep better and helps prevent chronic disease. It's a good place to start.

About the Author

Christopher Holwell

Christopher W. Holwell Attorney/Principal 9 years with Holwell Group, LLC/Law Offices of Christopher W. Holwell 19 years as a trial attorney for Divorce, Real Estate, Insurance Coverage, and Injury. One of my biggest accomplishments in a divorce case was getting a multi-million dollar settlement from a spouse that was not disclosing several million dollars in assets. In addition, I was able to get the other spouse to fully fund the one child's college education as part of the settlement. Another of my biggest accomplishments in an injury case was procuring a several hundred thousand dollar settlement for my 14-year-old client who suffered a knee injury during an after school athletic program. I was able to get all interested parties to set aside funds for the client's college fund in case his athletic scholarship was affected. I am constantly attending Continuing Legal Education seminars to stay up to date on any changes in the law that might affect any of my clients. My primary areas of practice are Divorce, Family Law, Real Estate, and Insurance Litigation. Most of my clients are concerned with what to do or what not to do when the first come to see me for a consultation or appointment. Their next concern is usually financial; what are they going to do now? How are they going to survive? I tell each client, based on their unique situation, what their options are and what will happen next. I am there for them from start to finish. The best part of my job is doing the work the client is too upset to do. While I understand the emotional roller-coaster clients go through, my experience allows me to step outside the emotion point of view, and use the law and facts to benefit my clients to the best of my ability. I was born in Oak Lawn, Illinois, was raised in Bridgeview up until college and now live in Lake County, Illinois with my family (my wife and three children.) I still have family in Bridgeview, Oak Lawn, and Orland Park. A little-known fact about me is that I love astronomy and anything to do with the stars and planets. In my free time, I tend to read a lot, usually late at night and play with my children and new Newfoundland puppy, Indy (Indiana Jones) I am admitted to practice law in Illinois and all Federal Courts including the Supreme Court of the Untied States of America. I treat my clients like friends. You can reach me at: (312) 648-6115 [email protected] [email protected] Linkedin: Christopher W. Holwell Facebook: Holwell Law Group, LLC

Comments

There are no comments for this post. Be the first and Add your Comment below.

Leave a Comment

Comments have been disabled.

Free Consultations

We are here to help you with your Divorce or Family Law Case. Our attorneys provide free consultations by telephone or in person. Call us to schedule your consultation. After hour and weekend consultations are available.

Every Client Matters

Whether it’s your Divorce, Family Law or other matter, our attorneys are available to guide you through the legal procedure every step of the way. Our experience is here to assist you for the best outcome.

HOLWELL LAW GROUP, LLC
(312) 803-2100 (fax)
Mon: 08:30am - 05:30pm
Tue: 08:30am - 05:30pm
Wed: 08:30am - 05:30pm
Thu: 08:30am - 05:30pm
Fri: 08:30am - 05:30pm