Introduction
Divorce can be a difficult and emotionally taxing experience, and when technology is involved, things can get even more complicated. Whether it’s sorting through shared devices, organizing digital files, or handling accounts tied to both parties, cleaning up tech stuff post-divorce requires a careful approach. In this article, we’ll go over practical steps on how to clean up and organize your tech post-divorce, ensuring that your personal information is secure and your digital life is restructured for a fresh start.
1. Change Your Passwords
One of the most important tasks when cleaning up your tech post-divorce is to ensure that your online accounts and devices are secure. If you’ve shared accounts or passwords during the marriage, it’s crucial to change them as soon as possible.
- Email Accounts: Start by changing the password to your primary email accounts, as they are often tied to other accounts like social media, banking, and shopping.
- Social Media: Make sure to update the passwords on all your social media profiles. This includes Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and any other platform you may have used during the marriage.
- Banking & Financial Apps: If your ex had access to financial accounts or apps like Venmo, PayPal, or credit card services, change those passwords as well. It’s important to protect your financial information.
- Cloud Services: If you and your ex shared cloud services like Google Drive, Apple iCloud, or Dropbox, ensure that you’ve removed their access and updated the necessary passwords.
Changing your passwords not only ensures privacy but also provides a fresh start, helping you feel in control of your digital life moving forward.
2. Clear Shared Devices
If you and your ex shared devices, like smartphones, tablets, or laptops, it’s important to remove their access to these devices.
- Factory Reset: For any devices that you no longer wish to share or that you plan to sell or give away, consider doing a factory reset. This will erase all data, including personal information, apps, and saved passwords. Be sure to back up anything you want to keep before doing this.
- Sign Out of Shared Accounts: If you still need to keep the device, log out of all shared accounts, including social media, email, and app accounts.
- Remove Devices from Accounts: If your ex had access to your devices through services like Google or Apple (i.e., Find My iPhone or Google Find My Device), remove those devices from your account to prevent them from being able to track or access your information.
3. Separate Joint Accounts
Divorces often involve joint accounts, from cloud storage subscriptions to streaming services. Separating these accounts ensures that your personal and financial information remains secure.
- Cancel Shared Subscriptions: If you have shared subscriptions like Netflix, Spotify, or Amazon Prime, either cancel the subscription or transfer it to your name.
- Split Shared Cloud Storage: If you were using shared cloud storage, like Google One or iCloud, assess your data and decide if it should be transferred or backed up before canceling the shared account.
- Update Payment Information: For joint accounts that you’re keeping, make sure your payment information is updated to prevent any financial confusion after the divorce.
This process can take time, but it’s necessary to ensure your tech isn’t tangled with your ex’s accounts.
4. Organize and Back Up Important Files
Once you’ve separated all accounts and secured your devices, take time to organize and back up your personal files. This is particularly important if you’ve stored shared files on family computers or in cloud storage that both parties had access to.
- Create Personal Folders: Organize documents, photos, and other important files into separate personal folders. This will help you keep your tech organized and make it easier to find what you need in the future.
- Backup Your Data: Ensure all your data, including photos, documents, and videos, are backed up. Consider using cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud, or make physical backups with an external hard drive.
- Delete Unnecessary Files: You may want to remove any files that are tied to your past relationship, especially if they’re emotional or unnecessary. This can be a cathartic step and help you start with a clean digital slate.
5. Deal with Digital Photos and Videos
Photos and videos are often some of the most emotionally charged digital content, so it’s important to decide what to do with them post-divorce.
- Organize Photos: Go through the digital albums stored on your devices and cloud storage. Separate photos you wish to keep from those that may remind you of the past relationship. This can be a sensitive process, but it will help you reclaim your digital space.
- Back Up Special Memories: If you have family photos or videos that are important to you, ensure they are safely backed up, either to an external drive or secure cloud storage.
- Delete or Archive: Consider deleting or archiving photos or videos that no longer hold sentimental value. If you’re not ready to delete them, move them to a private folder that’s separate from your main photo library.
6. Update Your Digital Identity
Post-divorce, you may want to update or even overhaul your online presence. This is especially important if you’ve been sharing social media profiles or online accounts with your ex.
- Review Social Media Profiles: Update your social media bios, profile pictures, and personal information. It may be time to refresh your social media presence and adjust privacy settings to ensure you feel comfortable with what’s shared.
- Adjust Privacy Settings: Review the privacy settings for all of your social media accounts and online platforms. Restrict access to your posts, limit who can view your profiles, and block or unfollow anyone who no longer needs to see your updates.
- Change Your Online Name: If you’ve taken your ex’s surname or used a shared username, it might be time to update your online identity. This can be a symbolic and empowering step as you reclaim your individuality.
7. Secure Financial and Legal Information
After a divorce, it’s essential to protect sensitive financial and legal information. This includes anything related to joint bank accounts, loans, investments, and legal documents like divorce decrees or child custody arrangements.
- Secure Financial Records: Move all financial documents and records into a secure digital space. Consider using encrypted cloud storage or secure financial apps that provide extra layers of security.
- Delete Shared Legal Docs: If you were storing shared legal documents or agreements (e.g., shared wills, property contracts, or divorce papers), ensure that these are either transferred to your personal space or deleted as necessary.
- Shred Paper Copies: While digital files are important, don’t forget to handle physical copies of financial and legal documents. Shred anything you no longer need or that you want to keep private.
Conclusion
Cleaning up tech stuff post-divorce can feel overwhelming, but it’s a crucial part of gaining back control over your digital life. By following these steps — from changing passwords and securing devices to organizing personal files and updating your online presence — you’ll be able to protect your information and start fresh. While the process may take time, the peace of mind that comes with knowing your tech is secure and organized will help you move forward confidently into the next chapter of your life.
