On behalf of The Law Office of Gustavo E. Frances, P.A.
We know that nobody gets into a marriage thinking they will get a divorce. Unfortunately, we know that anywhere from 40 to 50 percent of all marriages end in divorce. However, we are not learning that the divorce rate is rising among one group you might now expect – older Americans.
What is dubbed “gray divorce,” the divorce rate for those over 50 has actually doubled since the 1990s? This comes in the face of the divorce rate actually dropping in other age ranges. Getting divorced at an older age can present many challenges that people may not expect because these marriages typically lasted for a long time.
At The Law Office Of Gustavo E. Frances, P.A., we understand that divorce is difficult at any age and that you should not try to go through the process yourself. When you need a Fort Lauderdale divorce attorney, call us today.
What Is At Stake
Getting divorced at an older age may take some things off the table like how to deal with child custody or child support payments, but it inevitably means that other parts of a couple’s life are more intertwined. This can make the separation process much more complex. The longer a marriage lasts, the more is at stake. Consider that most people who divorce in their 50s or older have been together for 20 to 30 years. Now think about the following:
- Joint checking and savings accounts
- Joint retirements accounts
- Jointly owned vehicles
- Mortgages
- Other property ownership
- Any debt that is outstanding
Many things will have to be considered by both sides and these factors may come into play:
- One or both parties may have to live on less money than they are used to.
- You will be taxed differently (tax brackets and deductions will change).
- Consider there will be changes to Social Security payments.
- Other retirement accounts and pensions will be affected.
If one party will end up with fewer means than the other, alimony payments may need to be arranged. Longer marriages that end when both parties are older may result in permanent alimony payments.
Late-in-life or “gray” divorce can become very emotional. Not only do the two parties involved have deep roots together, but they will also face scrutiny and questions from the people around them. Pushing all of that aside so you can complete a divorce will not be easy.
What You Can Do Now
We know that this is a difficult time, but we want to help you through it. At The Law Office Of Gustavo E. Frances, P.A., you can count on an experienced Fort Lauderdale divorce attorney to be by your side. You can contact us by clicking here or calling 954-297-6546 for a free consultation.
