In the last several years, late-life, also known as, “gray divorce” has become increasingly more common. The divorce rate for adults ages 50 and older has almost doubled in the past 25 years. After spending almost an entire lifetime together, couples are opting for divorce later in life and, in the divorcing process, are making many mistakes. Fortunately, your happiness is our priority.
Here are 5 tips for late-life divorce:
Prepare For Alimony
For younger couples who have decided to divorce, alimony agreements and financial support usually last until the less stable partner is able to get back on their feet and provide for themselves. However, for those who are exiting a long-term marriage, alimony is almost always life-long. This is determined on a case-by-case basis and also varies depending on the state. But if you’ve been married for a significant amount of time and have a paying job, prepare to pay some alimony.
Don’t Keep The House
Very often wives want to keep the house. It has sentimental value to them, their children, and they don’t want to give it up. However, this isn’t always the best decision in the long run. If you decide to keep the house, your husband will gain something equally beneficial. This can mean he will be obligated to share less of his retirement money or you will end up with a smaller amount for alimony every month. While this isn’t always a bad thing, a home comes with bills, maintenance, and homeowners association fees. This can cause issues for you further down the road.
Let Up On Relative Financial Support
While most late-life divorces don’t usually require child custody or visitation issues, a lot of parents still provide financial support to older children or other family members. Once a divorce occurs, each ex-partner has their own decision to make: do they want, or even have, the ability to provide financial support to their adult children or senior parents? If you have the means to support other family members there is nothing wrong with that. However, if the divorce has left you with less money than you hoped, you may have to make a tough decision.
Seek New Friends
No one thinks their life-long friends are going to bail on them after their divorce. This is why this harsh truth comes as a shock to many. Frequently, friends will go their separate ways after a divorce, either drifting altogether or deciding to stay friends with the opposite spouse. During a divorce, especially later in life, loneliness is a constant struggle. Seek solace in new friends at work, community groups, and activity clubs. Keeping yourself social is crucial during this painful process.
Fight The Fear
Entering single life after being married for a surplus of years can be terrifying, lonely, and heartbreaking. The truth is, divorce might be difficult, but sometimes it’s the right thing to do for both people involved. Instead of fighting the fearful feelings, just let life take its course. Once the divorce is final, couples always feel liberated even in the midst of pain.
If you and your spouse have decided to part ways late in life, contact a New Jersey Divorce attorney today. Sometimes the grass is greener right around the corner. Call today for a free consultation. (973) 358-6134.