A divorce decree is the final court document that officially ends a marriage. Once it’s issued by a judge, your divorce is legally complete — meaning both parties are no longer married in the eyes of the law. This document is extremely important because it serves as your legal proof of divorce.
You’ll need your divorce decree if you plan to remarry, as it shows that your previous marriage has been lawfully dissolved. It can also be used to resume a prior last name if that change wasn’t made during your divorce proceedings.
A divorce decree typically bears a raised court seal and includes key details about your case, such as the names of both spouses, the case number, the date the divorce was finalized, and the court that issued it. Importantly, it also states that the Court retains jurisdiction over any unresolved matters — such as property division, child custody, or support issues — meaning the same court has authority to address those matters if they arise in the future.
Whether you’re updating your records, planning a new chapter, or clarifying your rights after divorce, your divorce decree is the definitive legal record of how your marriage ended and what terms apply going forward.
If you have any questions about the topic discussed in this article, or any divorce matter, please give us a call at Bononi & Company 724-832-2499.