It may be hard for you to accept that lawyers are simply in the business of providing legal services. Don't take it personally if your lawyer says Good-bye. It is time for you to move on to your own, independent life.
The Least You Need to Know
When the judge signs the Judgment of Divorce and any record is made of that signing, the divorce is usually effective.
Be sure that your spouse has received a copy of the final Judgment of Divorce with the date of its entry. Have a friend mail a copy if need be, and then sign a notarized statement that she mailed it. Include the date of mailing and the address where it was sent.
Entitlement to social security, pension plan, and retirement benefits should all be addressed at trial or during negotiations. Your ability to collect against your spouse's benefits should not be discussed for the first time after the Judgment of Divorce is final.
You can change your name at any time, but government offices usually want to see a certified copy of your Judgment of Divorce before they will change official records.
In general, it is more difficult to modify a Judgment of Divorce that was the result of negotiations than it is to modify one that was the result of a trial.
Before you hire a lawyer to collect unpaid moneys, ask yourself whether you have a reasonable chance of collecting and how much it will cost you to collect.
Your lawyer is technically out of your case once the Judgment of Divorce is final.
