Divorce can be a devastating experience that affects every part of your life. Professional divorce advice addresses many aspects of the process: the legal issues, property, money, emotional issues and especially how divorce can affect children.

But what about moving out of the house after divorce? The nuts and bolts are covered in the settlement so it should be pretty clear how to proceed in those areas. But often things will pop up that you may not have had to jump into yet. Below is a list of possible steps for a post divorce move out.

1. Divide your stuff.

How you split up household goods should be covered in your divorce settlement. Some people obviously don't write down every single thing, but most stuff should be agreed upon previously. If you are moving out of the marital home, you may be going to a smaller place. It's obvious that all your belongings will not fit into your new smaller apartment. Make decisions about keeping, tossing or giving things away.

You may need to rent a storage facility for the items that won't work in your new home. But give yourself some time to determine what things you would like to have around you in the new place. You also might not know until you've lived in your new place for a while.

2. Prepare for your move.

If you've moved before, you know the routine. But when it comes to divorce, moving out can be even more challenging. Becoming a single person again requires some additional steps.

• Submit a Change of Address form online at USPS.com.
• Get new checks printed with your new address.
• Go to your state's department of motor vehicles and update your license.
• Get utilities at the new place put in your name.
• Notify magazines of your change of address.
• Change your name if that's your choice. Check online or ask your attorney what's required.
• Make a few purchases for your new place. It may have been quite a while since you stocked a home. Hold off on making some of those decisions until after you've moved in.

3. Help your kids adjust.

This is one of the toughest parts—divorce and kids. If you're sharing custody, it's important that your kids know that even if you're moving out, you are still in their lives. Here are some ways to ease the transition for them.

• Talk your kids through how things are going to proceed: when you'll be moving, the time they'll be spending with you. Go into as much detail as you can; it will help them start to see the realities of their new lives.
• As soon as you can, show them their rooms in the new place.
• Shop with them for things for their second home. It's important that you let them pick out items they want. Often, it's easiest to have a second set of things at your place so there's less dragging items back and forth.
• Normalize this transition as much as possible. Do a few activities that are familiar to them; e.g. go out to eat at a favorite restaurant.

4. Help yourself adjust.

It's important to give yourself time and space to take in all that's happened and is continuing to change in your life. Some of it can be exciting but also frightening. Try to strike a balance between looking forward to new things and sticking with those that are comfortable.

• Check out your new neighborhood and find the local coffee shop, library and grocery store.
• Stay in touch with friends and people who have been your support system. Include them in the plans for your new life.
• Keep yourself physically healthy. Try to get enough sleep, eat more healthy foods and exercise.