When going through a divorce, an individual may not be entirely aware of their finances. In some marriages, one spouse takes care of the finances and the other doesn't know what is going on. This means one spouse may not know how much is in the bank accounts, what insurance policies exist and how the retirements accounts will work.

Of course for someone who recently got divorced -- or is thinking of divorce -- getting a hold of your finances can seem somewhat scary. Luckily, by just creating a to-do list, and possibly talking with a legal professional, you can get yourself on the right path to complete financial control.

The first thing you want to do is organize and review all documents related to your divorce, and also any financial statements. The combination of these documents will give you a complete overall picture of your financial situation, including any ownerships and investments.

Next up you want to review your benefits. Are you still on your spouses' health insurance plan? If so, make sure to check in with the insurance company periodically to be notified of any changes your ex may have made. And, if you are no longer going to be covered under your exes insurance, now would be a good time to shop around and compare prices for your own policy.

If you are over the age of 62, and were married for at least 10 years, now is also a good time to check your eligibility for Social Security benefits.

Of course this is not an extensive list of all that needs to be addressed after a divorce, and some items may or may not be included on your to-do list depending on your individual circumstance. For example, was your ex in the military? You should contact the Veterans Administration as you could be entitled to benefits. What about if you had a will? Now would be the time to make any appropriate changes and to establish a new power of attorney.

It's understandable that right now may be an emotionally draining time. However, keep in mind that you are not alone, as one out of every two marriages ends in divorce. And, often people end up out of their marriages, in charge of their finances and feeling more in control of their lives.

Source: Huffington Post, "Women and Divorce: Become the C.E.O. of Your Life (Confident, Empowered, Optimistic)," Jennifer Calandra, Jan. 23, 2012