September 30, 2025
Divorce Privacy: How To Protect Your Estate
Divorce is not just the end of a marriage; it’s the beginning of a new chapter. And with that new beginning comes a critical to-do list that many overlook: protecting your privacy and estate. From wills to social media accounts, ensuring your personal and digital life reflects your current status is essential for both your peace of mind and your future security.
Below, our friends from Vayman & Teitelbaum, P.C. discuss divorce privacy and ways you can protect your estate.
Here’s what you need to know about updating your estate plan and digital presence after divorce, or even after the loss of a loved one.
Update Your Will And Estate Plan
One of the most critical (and time-sensitive) steps post-divorce is updating your will and any associated estate planning documents.
Remove your ex as a beneficiary: Many people forget to revise beneficiary designations, which means your ex could still inherit assets if something happens to you.
Assign a new executor: If your former spouse was named as the executor of your will or trustee of a trust, it’s time to name someone new.
Update guardianship provisions: If you have minor children, confirm that guardianship instructions align with your current preferences and parenting plan.
Revisit powers of attorney: If your ex was listed as your medical or financial power of attorney, you should revoke and reassign those roles immediately.
Even if your divorce decree revokes certain rights, your documents still need to be updated to avoid confusion or legal disputes later on.
Secure Your Digital Life
In today’s world, estate planning isn’t complete without a digital component. Your digital footprint, everything from your email accounts to online banking to cloud storage, contains sensitive personal information.
After a divorce or loss, take these steps to safeguard your digital assets:
- Change passwords on all accounts, especially shared platforms like Netflix, Amazon, or iCloud.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for key accounts to prevent unauthorized access.
- Create a digital asset inventory, which includes login credentials, digital wallets, photo storage, and any other assets of monetary or sentimental value.
- Appoint a digital executor in your estate plan, someone who can manage or close your accounts if you pass away or become incapacitated.
Review Your Social Media Presence
What you post, and who has access to it, matters more than ever after a divorce. It’s common for exes, their families, or even new partners to monitor online activity. A casual post can easily be misinterpreted or used against you in a legal dispute, especially in cases involving child custody.
Review your friend and follower lists on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Update your privacy settings to control who can view your information.
Avoid sharing legal or financial updates online. When in doubt, keep personal matters offline.
If necessary, limit location sharing or remove tagged photos that compromise your safety or privacy.
Revisit Life Insurance And Retirement Accounts
Wills are important, but some of your biggest assets, like life insurance policies and retirement accounts, aren’t controlled by your will. Instead, they go directly to the named beneficiaries on file. Make sure to:
- Remove your ex from all beneficiary designations, unless your divorce agreement says otherwise.
- Name new primary and contingent beneficiaries (such as your children, siblings, or a trust).
Failing to update these can result in your ex receiving a payout you never intended, regardless of what your will says.
Take Control Of Your Next Chapter
Divorce is emotional, but don’t let the administrative details slide. With the help of a family lawyer, taking the time to update your estate plan, secure your digital life, and reclaim your online privacy isn’t just smart, it’s empowering.