First 30 days: stabilize
List essential bills and due dates. Contact creditors if needed; many offer hardship programs. Pause non-essential spending. Use unemployment or support benefits you qualify for.
Credit and legal separation
After divorce, close or convert joint accounts where possible. Monitor credit reports. Understand division of retirement assets (QDRO) with qualified professionals.
Rebuild on your timeline
Rebuild emergency fund before aggressive investing. Upskill if re-entering workforce. Our life-events hub has deeper guides for specific situations.
Ready to go deeper?
Life events resource hub →Frequently asked questions
Should I cash out retirement in a crisis?▼
Usually last resort—penalties and lost compounding hurt long-term. Explore loans or hardship rules first.
How do I budget on unemployment?▼
Strip to essentials, use benefits fully, and set a weekly spending cap until income returns.
Where can I get free help?▼
Nonprofit credit counselors (NFCC), local workforce centers, and our free courses.