A move after a separation is both a logistics job and an emotional one. The practical parts can be made simple with clear lists and clear dates. Take the decisions in the right order, and let a third party do the heavy lifting so that neither of you has to be in the room with the boxes.
List one: what goes and what stays
Make a written inventory room by room, with each item marked for one household or the other, and keep a copy each. Photographs of valuables, with dates, help later. If a court order or agreement sets out who keeps what, the inventory should follow it. Ask your attorney or the court's self-help centre if anything is unclear.
List two: who is notified
File a change of address with the post office, and update your bank, insurance, employer, doctor, schools and any subscriptions. If your name changes, the Social Security Administration comes first, then the DMV and passport. The USPS Mover's Guide and the SSA name-change page are the starting points. Use the change of address checklist to keep track.
List three: timing
Choose a move date that fits the legal and housing timeline. Ask for a written estimate with the date, the services and the contents of the load. If a new home is not ready, storage between homes can bridge the gap; O'Brien's offers vault storage from $40 per month, and about 2 to 3 weeks notice is needed to ship stored goods. See storage between moves.
List four: the move itself
A professional crew follows the inventory, loads only what is marked, and can work while the other household is away. Ask the estimator to treat the list as the scope of the job. For help with single pieces, see in-home furniture moving. If downsizing is part of the change, downsizing has tips on sorting.
Looking after yourself
Keep the first night simple: bed made, a few meals, essentials in one place. Pack a first night box and ask friends for specific help, such as an hour of unpacking or a meal.