Dealing With Divorce Over 50

Going through the breakup of a marriage is always difficult, regardless of your age or the amount of time you were married. It can be particularly challenging for those over 50, who may have been married for decades and spent a good portion of their adult lives with their spouse by their side.

The older you are and the longer the amount of time you have been together can make filing for divorce more life impacting. In addition to dealing with lifelong friends, adult children, and other family members, you are likely to have numerous shared assets, including homes, personal property, and retirement accounts, that need to be divided.  

Divorce Over 50 

It is not uncommon to feel a sense of isolation when going through a divorce, or feel reluctant to talk about it or even tell those closest to you, particularly if you are over 50. The facts is that you are not alone, and the rates of divorce among older couples have continued to rise steadily over the last decade.

According to a study called The Gray Divorce Revolution,  the divorce rate among middle aged and older adults has doubled over the last 20 years, and affecting one out of every four older couples. More than 600,000 couples over the age of 50 divorce every year, which may be linked to some of the following factors:

• Decreased social or religious taboos concerning divorce, and a cultural shift towards individual fulfillment;
• Marriages that met the spouse’s emotional, intellectual, physical, or financial needs early in life may no longer be fulfilling as the spouse’s get older;
• Couples may have gradually grown apart, and with longer life expectancy and greater quality of life in older years, may be unwilling to remain in a marriage that are no more than an ‘empty shell’.

While divorce at any age presents obstacles in terms of finances and family, divorce over 50 often involves struggles unique to older adults.

Issues Involved In Divorce Over 50

While younger couples who divorce face dealing with the impact on young children, older couples may find their adult children have difficulty adjusting as well. While you want to be open and honest with your children about the situation, it is important to avoid oversharing about your emotional state or issues in your marriage, even though adult children may feel more like friends.

In addition to children, Prevention.com advises that money matters and property division can be a more complicated issue for older couples seeking a divorce. Uncovering and dividing marital property accumulated over the course of years can be challenging, while it is important to make sure each partner gets their fair share of retirement accounts, pensions, and other types of savings. Alimony is also a common issue, particularly if one spouse has spent years removed from the work force.

Contact Us for Professional Help

If you are going through a separation or contemplating a divorce, contact the Vanessa L. Prieto Law Offices, LLC today. As experienced Florida family law attorneys, we understand the impact divorce can have over 50. Our firm can advise you on issues pertinent to your situation, while acting as a strong legal advocate to ensure your rights and interests are protected.

Resource:

bgsu.edu/content/dam/BGSU/college-of-arts-and-sciences/NCFMR/documents/Lin/The-Gray-Divorce.pdf