Divorce Checklist, Part III: Addressing Your Online Presence

In previous posts, we provided checklists providing steps for removing your name and responsibility from joint finances, documents, and insurance. In today’s post, we will cover what steps to take to address your online presence post-separation or post-divorce. In today’s world, so much is automated and saved on our devices. While you were married, your spouse likely knew or had access to many of your online passwords and personal accounts. After separation, you need to take steps to remove your spouse’s access to your devices and online accounts. The checklist below outlines various steps you can take to ensure your online presence remains private. 
1. Change passwords:

• For your phone, computer, email, social media, browser (stored passwords), bank accounts, and credit card accounts.
• Enable multifactor authentication for your accounts when available.

2. Wipe or do a factory reset for shared electronics such as a shared tablet or computer. This will remove any saved passwords, credit card information, tax returns, etc. that you don’t want to leave behind.  
3. Delete saved joint credit card or bank account information from virtual payment platforms (GooglePay, ApplePay, Venmo, etc.)
4. Deleted saved joint credit card or bank account information from online shopping platforms like Amazon, Walmart, Target, etc.
5. Create your own individual accounts for online memberships or cloud-based services like Amazon, Apple ID, iCloud account, Netflix, Hulu, etc.
6. Change your privacy settings on your social media accounts to share as much or as little with your spouse as you wish.

There may be additional accounts or websites you need to update after your separation, but this list provides a starting point. If you have any questions about your particular situation and how to address your online presence during separation or after divorce, please schedule a consultation with our firm. 

Schedule a consultation