Posted on November 03, 2020 in Divorce Over 50

It is not at all uncommon for middle-aged adults to shy away from the idea of divorce. Many individuals remain in unhappy marriages merely to avoid the discomfort that comes with separating later in life. For many reasons, it is completely understandable to experience extreme anxiety when faced with ending a marriage after the age of 50, especially when you have spent a good chunk of your life with your partner. The hurdles that accompany life after a gray divorce are intimidating, but they do not need to stop you from moving on and enjoying your life.

The following are examples of common fears that often cause middle-aged adults to stay in unhealthy marriages:

• Loss of familiarity - Deciding to take the plunge and end a marriage at any point in life is a scary thing, but experts suggest that divorcing after the age of 50 tends to be particularly fear-inducing. It is not hard to see why; for starters, years of memories, habits, and routines have accumulated over time, making it seem inconceivable that another way of life could exist after the marriage. Many couples simply see divorce as an impossible feat when they look back and consider the amount of time they have invested in the relationship. For others, if the marriage is short-lived, the idea of divorcing can be just as scary, as it can feel as if time is running out. It can also translate into a failure in the individual’s mind because it causes them to wonder if it was, in fact, a waste of their time. Whatever your personal circumstances may be, you can take comfort in knowing that starting over and facing new routines is difficult for everyone, no matter which stage of life, for many different reasons. 

  Continue Reading ››

 Posted on October 29, 2020 in Retirement

After a divorce, it is very common for people to begin worrying about their future, especially if they are at an age where retirement may soon be an option. One of the issues that may concern them is the question of Social Security benefits. There is much confusion over who is entitled to what, and without the help of an experienced attorney, you and your ex-spouse could find yourselves back in court or embroiled in a long debate that is simply unnecessary.

Requirements to Collect

Almost every individual in the United States who legally works will build up what the Social Security Administration (SSA) calls a work record. Normally, you will be entitled to benefits based on the length and type of your work record, but spouses or former spouses have the right to collect based on their spouse’s record if it is better than their own. The rationale is that especially for older women, who might not be as well-equipped in terms of their ability to reenter the workforce after divorce, there needs to be a safety net of sorts to keep people out of poverty.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on October 08, 2020 in Divorce Over 50

In this day and age, it is becoming more common for senior citizens to divorce, sometimes after decades of marriage. While the causes are numerous, what many do not take into account is that divorcing at an older age can have challenges that younger couples often do not experience. If an older couple is not adequately prepared for some of the particular questions they may confront, significant issues can quickly develop.

Pensions and Other Benefits

One major concern that is not especially pressing for most younger couples is how to divide a pension or Social Security funds. If a couple has been married for ten years or longer, and one or both are over the age of 62, spouses can draw benefits on each other’s work history. This can create complexities in a divorce.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on September 25, 2020 in Health Issues and Divorce

Getting divorced after the age of 50, often called a "gray divorce," can be especially difficult under any circumstances. However, if you have a health condition that requires regular care and treatment. You may be concerned about your ability to cover medical expenses without financial support from your spouse, especially if you relied on his or her health insurance coverage. Rest assured that there are options to ensure you continue receiving the care that you need, and your attorney can help you find one that works for you.

Options for Maintaining Health Insurance Coverage in Illinois

If you are employed after your divorce, you can likely obtain health insurance through your own employer. If you can afford it, an individual health insurance plan may also be an option. However, if neither of these is possible, there are several alternatives, including:

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on September 11, 2020 in Divorce Over 50

For couples divorcing after age 50, perhaps the most pressing concern is the impact the divorce will have on retirement. When you have spent most of your life planning and budgeting for retirement as a married couple, it may be overwhelming to consider how your plans will change now that you will be on your own. It is inevitable that divorce will have some impact on your retirement, but with some careful consideration and the assistance of an attorney, it is often possible to salvage many of your retirement goals.

Preparing for Retirement During Your Illinois Divorce

Making sure that you are still able to comfortably retire after your divorce often requires smart decision-making during the divorce process as well as a clear plan for after the divorce is finalized. Important strategies to consider include:

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on August 27, 2020 in Divorce Over 50

The rate of divorce for older couples has grown over the past decade, resulting in the term “gray” divorce. Considering a divorce at any age can be scary, but for those couples who are 50 and older, it can be downright daunting. Spouses who have been married for 25 years or more often have a lot of baggage, as they say. They may have acquired a lot of marital property and assets, all of which will need to be divided if they choose to part ways and legally end the marriage. Illinois is an equitable distribution state, which means any property obtained after the wedding will need to be divided fairly based on several factors. However, in some cases, that might be the easy part. Moving on emotionally can be difficult, regardless of gender. Even though the stereotype is that they are supposed to be the stronger sex, men often have a harder time suddenly adjusting to single life after so many years with a partner.  

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on August 11, 2020 in Divorce Over 50

When people get divorced and consider relocating to another state as a way of getting a fresh start, there are many things they might consider—from job prospects to housing options, there are all sorts of concerns. But when you are over the age of 50, and in the middle of what is known as a “gray divorce,” there are other considerations that should be made before you decide exactly where to establish new residency. Here are some examples of these important concerns.

4 Things to Think About Before Relocating After a Gray Divorce

While you may think that there is a lot of overlap between the best places to live after divorce and the best places to live in retirement, the truth is that there is very little correlation between the two. Sure, some people might rank Florida as a top-five state for retirement, but in terms of getting a divorce in Florida or even restarting your life in Florida after a gray divorce, it could be much more expensive than you are willing to tolerate. Here are some important things to consider about possible relocation sites after divorce:  

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on July 30, 2020 in Divorce Over 50

If you are over the age of 50, the safety issues and the hassles associated with the divorce process might make it seem near impossible to get a divorce during the pandemic. It is even easier to put a gray divorce on the back burner when you consider all the warnings from public health officials stating that older people tend to be at higher risk of contracting COVID-19 if not “locked down.” Here in Illinois, the divorce courts have been able to adjust to the “new normal” and attempt to restore some semblance of “business as usual” with regards to divorce cases, adapting when necessary to protect all parties involved from the pandemic. In other words, you can pursue that divorce based on the following reassurances.

4 Ways Illinois Restored Safe Divorce Court Operations

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on July 10, 2020 in Divorce Over 50

Divorce after 50 presents itself with all sorts of new challenges, including fear of the unknowns in your life, like how you will achieve your dreams now, what will happen with your retirement, how you will make ends meet on a fixed income without your spouse, if you will have to work until you die, or if you will ever fall in love again. While all of these are valid and warranted concerns, there are ways to not only survive but thrive after your gray divorce. Here are some tips to get you started. Who knows? Maybe you will lead an even better life after your gray divorce than you did the 50 years prior.

4 Steps to Surviving a Gray Divorce

Over the last three decades, gray divorce rates have nearly doubled. This all-too-common type of divorce might seem daunting, but ultimately it is for the best—and you can make both your lives better if you are willing and able. But the first goal is survival. There are numerous ways to get through a gray divorce, but four key steps are:

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on June 25, 2020 in Divorce Over 50

Over the last few decades, the number of gray divorces has doubled. But sometimes when you are 50 or older, the thought of getting a divorce and restarting life without the support of a spouse is not something either of you truly wants. Never is this truer than when the two of you consider your finances and other benefits implicit in your marriage that would disappear upon divorce. It might not always be worth relinquishing all of that financial security due to something as minor as not having much to discuss over the dinner table now that the kids are grown up and out of the house. In those cases, you might want to consider the following alternatives to divorce if you are 50 or older.

4 Alternatives to Gray Divorce

If your marriage is less-than-perfect these days, that does not necessarily mean that you have to get a divorce. You have other options, including:

Continue Reading ››