Top Issues In A Grey Divorce
We’re severely lacking information in this category and it needs to stop. Why? Grey divorces are a demographic all their own: hence the special category. It’s been postulated that grey divorces are such an issue because people are living longer. It does make sense that if we, as a whole, have increased life spans, the person we married and had a family with might not actually be the person with whom we should grow old. People change. Families change us. Dreams are realized. Whatever the reason or reasons, folks 50+ are divorcing at an impressive rate.The issues inherent with this type of divorce do warrant a closer look at the need to divorce. Grey divorces pose threats to finances and security that an earlier divorce might not. If you are divorcing and fall into the grey divorce category, heads up:
Retirement
We do have a blog specifically about this. The important thing to remember is that if you are divorcing in later years, retirement might not be on the horizon. Read further by clicking here.
Alimony
Many parents sacrifice part of a job, or all of a career, in order to tend to children. A large amount of women divorcing in a grey divorce will have to fight for alimony since the financial balance for the payor is severely risky (normally) when looking at a fixed income and divorce.
Lifestyle
Unless a spouse had their own savings, 401k, or the couple are wealthy enough, expect a huge change in lifestyle. Both parties can expect a diminished lifestyle and need to make a plan for years in which they age.
Children
In most cases, the kids are grown and financially independent; however, some couples have children whose medical diagnoses render them dependent upon the care of a parent or there are facilities that provide care in home or at another location. Financial needs must be met and care must be taken towards the parent who shouldered the majority of the responsibility for the dependent child. If a child is severely handicapped, emotions must be set aside and practicalities addressed towards the future of the child.
These are pretty general, but should get you thinking about if your divorce falls into this growing category. Things get complicated, but we’re here to help! Call, email, or text our offices for a consultation: (479) 434-2414 Fort Smith • (479) 802-6560 NWA