--- title: Documents to Update After Divorce description: People commonly to forget to update important legal/financial documents when they get divorced. If you want to make changes, don’t delay. 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Who would get the proceeds from your retirement plan and/or life insurance policy? If you were incapacitated, who would have the legal right to make medical and financial decisions for you? If you named your ex-spouse, you may need to make a call to your lawyer and insurance company. It is common when people are married to name their spouse as the executor of their estate and beneficiary in their will and life insurance policy, as well as give him or her power of attorney. Unfortunately, it is also common for people to forget to update important legal/financial documents when they get divorced. If you want to make changes, don’t delay – you never know when something could happen. (However, keep in mind that if you are still going through divorce proceedings, you may not be able to make changes until it is finalized.) If you have minor children and want to make them the beneficiaries, you will have to name a guardian of the estate, since minors generally cannot directly control assets. It does not have to be your ex-spouse, even he or she gets custody of the children if you die – you can name another person or even an institution. Your lawyer can help you figure out what would work best in your situation.    [![Click here to view Basics of Personal Finance](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/118438/a8b9861a-3098-4b52-a961-3fa67f66b145.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/118438/a8b9861a-3098-4b52-a961-3fa67f66b145) You might also be interested in: [10 Tips to Get Your Finances in Order Before a Divorce](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/10-tips-to-get-your-finances-in-order-before-a-divorce) [Debt and Divorce: The Basics](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/debt-and-divorce-the-basics) [Building a Budget After Divorce](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/building-a-budget-after-divorce) [Building Credit After Divorce](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/building-credit-after-divorce) [Repaying Debt After Divorce](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/repaying-debt-after-divorce) [The Biggest Financial Concern Divorcing Couples Have](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/the-biggest-financial-concern-divorcing-couples-have)   ** [Life Changes](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/life-changes) [** Surprising Student Discounts and Deals ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/surprising-student-discounts-and-deals) [** Housing Factors to Consider When Divorcing ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/housing-factors-to-consider-when-divorcing) ### About Author ![Hanscom Federal Credit Union](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/HFCU-Profile-1000x1000.jpg) Hanscom Federal Credit Union Hanscom Federal Credit Union, a purpose-driven $1.9 billion organization based in Littleton, MA, empowers its members to achieve financial wellness. Hanscom FCU serves over 95,000 members across the country and overseas through 16 branches, over 100,000 surcharge-free ATMs, 5,000 contact centers, and a web-based branch. 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