Posted on February 09, 2024 in Divorce Over 50

If you have already been married and divorced, you may be wary of making the same mistakes again. However, this should not stop you from pursuing love and getting your “happily ever after”. For people getting remarried later in life, there are several practical tips to help you avoid some common pitfalls. An experienced Kendall County, IL divorce lawyer can give you detailed information and help you forge the right path for you.

Tip 1: Be Honest and Transparent

You and your future spouse should be honest with each other about your finances. If either of you has accumulated debt, it is important to share it rather than hide it. If either of you has amassed significant assets, this is something to share as well. A strong marriage is built on a foundation of trust, and you and your future spouse will only be able to fully trust each other if you are sure you are both being honest, even when the truth might be hard. If you find that transparency about your financial reality leads you to break up, many people would agree that this would be helpful information before the wedding.

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 Posted on January 25, 2024 in Divorce Over 50

For some reason, people generally think that domestic violence is mostly an issue for young couples in their twenties and thirties. Unfortunately, it is not unique to any one age group and is common among older couples too. The problem is that people can be less likely to leave an abusive relationship once they reach a certain age, for various reasons. If you are near retirement age and considering divorcing an abusive spouse, a DuPage County divorce lawyer can guide you through the process with sensitivity and respect.

What Should I Do if I Am Worried for My Immediate Safety?

If you are in the State of Illinois and at risk of being harmed by your spouse, you can be granted an Emergency Order of Protection (EOP). This is another term for an immediate and temporary restraining order. The victim/complainant’s testimony is enough for an EOP to be granted; the accused abuser does not even need to be there.

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 Posted on January 11, 2024 in Divorce Over 50

Since all people are unique, and all couples have their own unique dynamics, there are also many unique reasons for divorce. But there are also some more typical reasons why some marriages end. One quite common reason is infidelity. This can break a couple whether they are newly married or have been together for decades, whether they are young or nearing retirement. If you are in your fifties or older and your spouse cheated on you, an experienced Kendall County, IL, divorce attorney can help you navigate this challenging time and plan your path forward.

Grounds for Divorce in Illinois

The State of Illinois is a “no-fault” state. The only ground for divorce recognized by the Illinois courts is the broad topic known as “irreconcilable differences.” Specific scenarios that could show how one spouse is to blame for ending the marriage are not taken into account when the court wants to determine if there are sufficient grounds for divorce. Instead, the court can accept a claim that the couple has irreconcilable differences that can not reasonably be resolved, and it will then dissolve the marriage. Even though infidelity will not have an impact on the grounds for divorce, it could influence other issues that need to be resolved in a divorce settlement.

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 Posted on December 20, 2023 in Divorce Over 50

Anytime a couple gets divorced, there are several issues they need to work out. Some divorces can be more complicated than others, depending on the circumstances. Some couples split amicably and can agree on everything they need to settle. Some couples need the court to intervene so that any settlements can be reached. Some divorces only involve 2 spouses splitting up, and both work full-time and have brought equal assets to the marriage. Some divorces involve children of various ages, possibly from different marriages. If the couple is over a certain age, they may need for the couple to figure out their retirement as well as their children’s college education. If you are considering gray divorce and are confused about how your unusual family dynamics might impact the proceedings, a knowledgeable DuPage County, IL gray divorce attorney can answer your questions and create a plan to protect your rights and interests.

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 Posted on December 12, 2023 in Divorce Over 50

While any divorce can be complicated, divorce for people a bit older and later in life can be even more so. This topic of divorce even has its own special name, “gray divorce.” When people get divorced later in life, there are some unique challenges as well as some reasons why it’s actually easier than getting divorced when you are younger. One of the main reasons why it can be more complicated is because an older couple will generally have more financial assets to figure out how to divide amongst themselves. While younger couples may need to figure out complicated things like child custody, a gray divorce settlement will determine how the ex-spouses’ retirements might look. If you are over fifty years old and divorce might be in the cards for you, an experienced DuPage County, IL, gray divorce lawyer will clear up some confusion and set you up for success in your divorce settlement.

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 Posted on November 21, 2023 in Retirement

Once people reach their sixties, they know that their working years are almost over. If they have worked and put away money every month to plan for their retirement, it can feel like they are about to be rewarded for their many years of hard work. However, everyone has different retirement plans: some people work for large companies and are offered packages that include a matching program (the company deposits the same amount into a fund as the employee every month) and stock options, while other people might only have a 401K.

In some cases, one spouse is given a generous retirement package by their employee and the other spouse is not, and the couple might decide to depend on that one plan for their shared future. This arrangement works for many couples, but what happens if a couple gets a divorce? If you find yourself wondering whether you are better off staying in an unhappy marriage to ensure a comfortable retirement, a DuPage County divorce attorney can have an honest conversation and help get you the answers you need to make an informed decision.

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 Posted on November 10, 2023 in Health Issues and Divorce

Illnesses that cause memory loss and cognitive decline, such as dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, and others, affect many Americans. While it is more common to occur after the age of 70, younger people can be afflicted as well. These diseases take a heavy toll on everyone involved, whether you have the disease yourself or a loved one does. The ways they affect someone cognitively can make it seem like your spouse is not the person you fell in love with and married.

Gray divorce, or divorce when the spouses are 50 years old or older, can have its own set of complications because the couple is typically separating after a long marriage and may have amassed more assets - or debts - than a younger couple. When one of the spouses has dementia, it can make it even more difficult to navigate. If your spouse has dementia and you are considering divorce, an experienced DuPage County, IL divorce attorney can answer your questions with sensitivity and protect your rights compassionately.

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 Posted on October 20, 2023 in Divorce Over 50

Commonly known as “gray divorce,” when a couple in their fifties or older goes through a divorce, many issues come up that are unique to their specific situation. These couples are generally married for longer than younger couples and are either nearing or already into their retirement years. The financial implications of a gray divorce can be more complicated and very different from those of a divorce for a younger couple. Suppose you are in your fifties or older and considering divorce but do not know where to begin. In that case, an experienced DuPage County, IL divorce lawyer can help clear up some of the confusion and explain how you can help protect your financial future.

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 Posted on October 11, 2023 in Divorce Over 50

Otherwise known as “gray divorce,” divorce among couples who are 50 years of age or older has become increasingly common. The divorce rate among Americans in this age range has more than doubled over the last three decades. This is being attributed to several factors, including a longer life expectancy. The thought of getting divorced can be quite stressful if you’ve been married longer than you were ever single in your adult life. If you are 50 years of age or older and are considering divorce but overwhelmed by what it involves, a DuPage County, IL Gray Divorce attorney can answer your questions and help sort through the confusion and anxiety.

How Does Gray Divorce Differ from Other Divorces?

Longer life expectancy is a major reason why more and more older couples are getting divorced. In the past, unhappy couples may have stayed together for the sake of their children, and with a shorter life expectancy, once their children were grown and had moved out, it might have seemed like too drastic a measure for a limited time.

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 Posted on September 13, 2023 in Divorce Over 50

Divorce is never easy. Even if both people agree that this step makes the most sense for them, it is not a decision that is reached lightly. This is certainly the case for people over the age of 50 as well. In addition to splitting assets and debts, the couple will need to reconsider their retirement plans.

Fortunately, there are several surprising reasons why gray divorce could be easier than divorce at a younger age. If you are 50 years old or older and you think divorce might be the logical step for you, a Wheaton, IL divorce attorney could help make sense of this confusing time.

Why Is Gray Divorce Considered Complex?

Divorce at any age involves an agreement for asset distribution. The couple needs to split up their assets and debts in an equitable way. However, if you are 50 years old or older when you begin divorce proceedings, more factors might be considered:

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