The Complete Florida Divorce Guide
Learn the important financial, legal, and insurance considerations to keep in mind during and after a divorce in Florida.
Getting Organized
Before making changes, gather copies of important documents such as:
Marriage certificate
Divorce filings
Insurance policies
Mortgage documents
Vehicle titles
Bank and investment statements
Retirement account information
Estate planning documents
Keeping everything organized will make the process easier.
Updating Your Insurance
One of the most commonly overlooked parts of a divorce is reviewing your insurance coverage.
Depending on your situation, you may need to update:
Homeowners insurance
Auto insurance
Flood insurance
Umbrella insurance
Boat insurance
Motorcycle insurance
Golf cart insurance
RV insurance
Valuable personal property coverage
If policies were previously shared, new coverage may need to be arranged after the divorce is finalized.
Review Your Life Insurance
Life insurance is often an important part of a divorce settlement.
After a divorce, you may want to review:
Beneficiary designations
Policy ownership
Coverage amounts
Children as beneficiaries
Trust arrangements (if applicable)
Keep in mind that changing beneficiaries may not always be appropriate or permitted until legal agreements are finalized.
Your Home
If real estate is involved, consider questions such as:
Who will remain in the home?
Will the home be sold?
Will one spouse refinance the mortgage?
Does the homeowners insurance need updating?
Has ownership changed?
Any changes to ownership or occupancy should be reported to your insurance company.
Vehicles
Don't forget to review:
Vehicle ownership
Vehicle titles
Auto insurance policies
Drivers listed on the policy
Garaged addresses
Discounts that may no longer apply
Updating your policy promptly can help prevent coverage issues.
Review Beneficiaries
Many financial accounts allow you to name beneficiaries.
After a divorce, review:
Life insurance
Retirement accounts
Investment accounts
Transfer-on-death accounts
Payable-on-death accounts
Be sure any updates are consistent with your divorce agreement and applicable law.
Protect Your Financial Future
Once the divorce is finalized, many people use the opportunity to revisit their broader financial plan.
Consider reviewing:
Emergency savings
Retirement contributions
Budget
Debt repayment
Insurance coverage
Long-term financial goals
Building a fresh financial plan can help provide confidence for the future.
Update Your Estate Plan
Divorce is often a good time to review:
Your will
Trusts
Durable Power of Attorney
Health Care Surrogate
Living Will
An estate planning attorney can help ensure your documents reflect your current wishes.
It’s time to Review Your Insurance.
Divorce often means making important changes to your insurance coverage. Whether you're updating your homeowners, auto, life, flood, umbrella, or recreational vehicle policies, the advisors at Ted Todd Insurance can help you understand your options and ensure your coverage reflects this new chapter of your life.
Your Questions, Answered
-
In many cases, insurance changes depend on your legal agreement and individual circumstances. Before removing a spouse from a policy or making significant changes, consult your attorney and insurance advisor.
-
If ownership or occupancy of the home changes, your homeowners insurance may also need to be updated. Your insurance advisor can help determine what changes are appropriate.
-
Possibly. Many people review beneficiary designations after a divorce, but legal agreements or court orders may affect when and how changes can be made.
-
If you previously shared a policy, you may need separate coverage after the divorce. You'll also want to update vehicle ownership, listed drivers, and garaging addresses if they change.
-
Yes. Divorce is often a good time to review your entire estate plan, including your will, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and beneficiary designations.
-
Jointly owned property may require continued insurance coverage until ownership is transferred or the property is sold. Speak with your attorney and insurance advisor before making changes.
-
Yes. If your assets, property ownership, or liability risks change after a divorce, it's a good time to determine whether your umbrella policy still provides appropriate protection.
-
As soon as practical. Once your divorce is finalized—or when legally appropriate—reviewing your insurance policies can help ensure your coverage reflects your new circumstances.