It might seem as though your life is upended when you file for divorce. This feeling is likely to be followed with a concern over getting your new affairs in order. 
When you contemplate separating or getting a divorce, it is a good time to contact your attorney for an estate planning consultation. Things are about to change dramatically in your world but unless you update the documents associated with them, the wishes that you intended to have may not be followed through with. There are several critical steps that should be evaluated carefully by a lawyer after you have chosen to get divorce. These include:
· Updating your health care proxy to remove the former spouse.
· Updating your power of attorney, if necessary.
· Identifying what you can and cannot alter in terms of life insurance and
retirement accounts.
· Update your will and ensure that any other legal documents created do not
conflict with your prenup or post-nup agreement.
· Determine what to leave to your spouse, if anything.
· Amend any trusts.
· Ensure that your estate planning is evaluated again after the divorce is
finalized.
Both before and after your divorce is finalized, you should have clarity about who has legal power to make decisions on your behalf. If you leave things unchanged, an estranged spouse could be entitled to make critical decisions about your future. Talk to a lawyer to ensure your documents reflect your current life circumstances. Schedule your discussion today with a Pasadena estate planning attorney.
