How can you protect yourself?
Divorce is a life-changing event. It doesn't have to wreck your financial future.
Take steps to help safeguard your finances.
The money moves you make during this crucial time can have long-lasting effects. Learn more about how you can prepare:
Untangle your finances.
It's likely you'll need to make some changes to your accounts, whether that means changing who has access, changing passwords or just getting your own checking account or credit cards. Take control of your finances:
Analyze your income and expense changes.
One of the first items you'll need is a new budget. Expenses often increase when married couples no longer split insurance policies, cellphone plans and other household costs. All of these lead to the need for a new budget to reflect your new situation.
Understand how a military divorce is different.
If you or your spouse are in the military, make sure your lawyer knows the special considerations of military divorces. Learn more about going through a divorce in the military:
Review and update your insurance coverage and retirement planning.
See where you might need to adjust insurance coverage. You'll want to consider how divorce affects your retirement and estate planning, too.
Life Insurance, Investing and Retirement
Consider updating nonretirement accounts, such as checking and savings, after your divorce. You'll also want to think about the beneficiaries on life insurance policies and retirement accounts like IRA or 401(k).
Homeowners or Renters Insurance
If you're getting a divorce, you may need to update the names on your policy. You may also want to evaluate your coverage.
Valuable Personal Property Insurance
During a divorce, you may want to take stock of your high-value property like rings, cameras, art and household valuables. A Valuable Personal Property (VPP) policy can help protect them with no deductible. And you can save by combining it with your auto, home or renters insurance.See note1
Auto Insurance
If you're getting a divorce, you may need to update your policy information.
Health Insurance
After a divorce, you'll need to remove your ex-spouse from your policy. You don't have to wait for the next enrollment period.
Estate Planning
It's important to evaluate your future plans after a divorce. You may want to update your beneficiaries and estate documents.
Update your member profile.
You can easily update your marital status online.See note2 This won't affect your membership and helps us serve you better.
- Update your family information like spouse, children or stepchildren.
- Tell us about other life events like moving, deploying, changing jobs or having a baby.
- Update your passwords.
- Wait until after your divorce to change your marital status.
Need to move soon?
The USAA personalized moving checklist, insurance options and financial tools help you maintain financial stability during your move.
Need help with those next steps?
We have tools that can assist you.
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Discount Shopping
Get discounts through USAA PerksSee note® on services like moving, car rentals, travel, setting up in your new home and more.
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Debt Management
Help reduce stress and keep more of your hard-earned money by managing debt.
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Job Finding
Translate military skills, build a resume and prepare for interviews with career planning tools from RecruitMilitary®, a USAA alliance.
Divorce and finances FAQ
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Need help updating your account?
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