I know that you have gone thru a major trauma during the process of becoming divorced. This trauma may still be with you no matter how long ago the divorce occurred. The subject I am about to talk to you about may or may not be one that you are ready to hear. I am however, telling you that it is one that must be addressed. It is the subject of reviewing your legal documents.

It is time to sit down at the kitchen table or wherever is comfortable for you and write a list of all of the documents that still have your spouses name on them. If your desire is to have someone else be the beneficiary, the documents need to be revised. Contact the appropriate official and begin the process. This may be an Attorney or an Accountant; you also may need to contact your financial institution.

When you were married, both of you; you and your spouse probably listed each other as beneficiaries and you probably purchased homes and cars, etc in both your names. It doesn’t matter whether the relationship ended amicably or not. What does matter is that you are now responsible for yourself and if there are children, them as well. I am sure you have heard about people who inherited monies or homes from a former spouse, who has died. If the former spouse intended for this to happen, all is well; but what about the cases in which this was not the intention. Here is a scenario for you to consider: A former spouse remarries and dies some years later. The life insurance policy’s beneficiary page was never updated (the divorcee forgot about it) and the former spouse inherits. You know this has happened and can happen again.

Here is list of some of the documents that should be reviewed as soon as possible. They are Wills; Trusts; Life Insurance Policies; Bank Accounts; Safe Deposit Box Accounts; Retirement Accounts; Health Insurance; Titles to homes, cars and anything else that has both your names listed. If you were to die today, would the people you want to inherit your possessions get them?

It is time to take Action. You may have been thinking about getting this done for a while and just haven’t gotten around to it. I ask you to do more than think about it. I implore you to do something about it. You are worth it.

If you are ready to begin re-creating your life; I have created a free 5 day e-course “Starting Over: Recreating your life after divorce or the death of a spouse. Feel free to go to my web site and download this e-course. After all; this is the first day of the rest of your life.

Marie A. O'Neill is the founder of White Lotus Life Coaching. She is a Life Coach who specializes in Life Renewal for Widows and Divorcees. Call or e-mail her to set up your free 20 minute coaching session. She can be reached at: marie@whitelotuslifecoaching.com or by phone 360-582-0716