Well, we knew this article would come eventually. Everyone is stuck in the house right now, whether they want to be or not, as Coronavirus rages through the country. Some people are quarantined by themselves, while others are stuck inside with spouses. Being stuck inside with your spouse leads to boredom, and boredom leads to fights. Arguing is just one way to pass the time.
But what happens when these arguments are stuff that your relationship cannot surmount? Old quarrels can lead to divorce and legal separation. If quarantine has driven you to this point, you should probably read this article. Here is some need-to-know info about divorce and its impact on your estate plan.
Divorce Vs. Legal Separation
Firstly, there is a difference between divorce and legal separation. Divorce ends the marriage contract between you and your (ex-) spouse. Legally, you two are no longer married. Legal separation, on the other hand, does not end the marriage contract. In a legal separation, the couple is still married, but they are living apart. A legal separation is a court order that will mandate the rights/duties of the couple during this time period. If you want to be done done, get a divorce.
And, as divorce is the end of the marriage, this article will discuss divorce’s, not legal separation’s, impact on your estate plan.
Divorce’s Impact on Your Estate Plan
Power of Attorney
Do you want someone with whom you have been arguing for two straight months (or longer) to be your power of attorney? The power of attorney is allowed to make major healthcare and/or financial decisions for you in the event of your incapacitation. This position can have a huge impact on your life when you are in your most vulnerable state. Switch out the power of attorney to someone you haven’t divorced. This can include a family member or close friend.
Will
Some states have a strikeout provision in a will that essentially ignores your ex-spouse in the event of a divorce. The provisions about your ex are “ignored” by a court. However, not all states have this, and you shouldn’t rely on it anyone. If your ex is a beneficiary of your estate, take them out. You want to make sure your will (or a trust) is updated to reflect your current status.
Retirement/Life Insurance
Your 401(k), pension, or IRA are not passed down as part of your will. Instead, they go to a beneficiary in the event that you die and are unable to benefit. The same goes for life insurance. If your ex-spouse is listed as the beneficiary on these types of accounts, you should take them off. It’s likely that you do not want your ex getting a windfall of cash in the event of your death, so calling the financial/insurance institutions in charge of these is a must-do.
What About the Kids? Alimony?
Custody and alimony are part of family law, and an estate planning attorney who does not practice family law will likely refer you to another attorney. Custody determinations and alimony determinations are tricky, and they are handled separately than the other, above-mentioned aspects of an estate plan.
According to Bloomberg News, China has already seen a spike in divorce filings. The pandemic is pretty much over there, so China’s spike in divorces serves as a foreboding warning to the rest of the world. ABC News’s interview with Howard Markman (the Center for Marital and Family Studies’ co-director) came to the same conclusion: a surge in divorce is to be expected. Contact an attorney to ensure that there is as little negative impact on your estate plan as possible.