Legal Separation and Divorce
In North Carolina, legal separation begins on the date that a husband and wife move into separate residences with the intent to continue living apart from one another.
Health-Related Benefits and Life Insurance
Both legal separation and divorce are qualifying status changes that create a 30-day window of opportunity during which certain benefit plan changes can be made without waiting for annual enrollment. Changes to health, dental, vision, life and other benefits, must be made within 30 days of the event date and become effective the first of the month following the date of the event. When adding or removing dependents, a valid reason and event date must be provided. In some cases, proof of prior coverage may be required. This information is critical in determining benefits continuation and/or COBRA eligibility.
For assistance and information on what changes are permissible and how to make changes, contact your Benefits Counselor.
Court-Ordered Dependent Coverage
If a court order requires providing dependent children with health related benefits, a copy of the court order must be provided as supporting documentation. In some cases, proof of prior coverage is required to support a waiver of waiting period for pre-existing conditions.
Contact your Benefits Counselor for assistance.
Beneficiary Changes
Keeping beneficiary information current and on file brings peace of mind to yourself and loved ones. Legal separation and divorce may prompt the need for timely beneficiary updates to life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment and retirement plans.
Visit the Forms section for access to beneficiary change forms. The effective date of a beneficiary change can vary depending on the plan. Retirement systems and benefit plans will oftentimes send an acknowledgement confirming a beneficiary change while others honor the change as of the signature date on the change form.
Contact specific benefit plans or your contact your Benefits Counselor for details.
Name and Address Change
Visit our Name/Address Change page for information on how to update your personal information.
Taxes
Legal separation and divorce can lead to the need for updating both federal and state tax withholding exemptions. Visit the University Payroll web site to obtain withholding forms, and to estimate your tax liability.
Legal Matters
If you currently participate in the Hyatt Legal Plan, services such as family law, real estate matters, wills and estate planning may be available to you at a reduced cost.
Visit the Hyatt Legal Plan web site and use password 2660010 to find out what help is available.
Financial Planning
A major life event such as divorce can trigger the need for changes in financial planning strategies.
Contact a University approved-financial planner or your supplemental savings plan provider to learn more about how separation and divorce might impact investment and retirement planning.
