You and your spouse have worked hard
providing for your family and raising your children. You have got them through high school and now
the last one has left home and is off at school, working some place or perhaps married. Whew is finally over and now there is time
for just you and your spouse to relax and start to enjoy being the two of
you. Chance at marital bliss once
again? Whoa, not so fast. You might be headed to the big “D” (divorce)
instead.
According to a New York Times, the
divorce rate for couples 50 and over has doubled since over a half century
ago. Based upon the Census Bureau’s
American Community survey in 2011, 15.4% of couples over age 50 were divorced,
2.1% were separated, and 13.5% were widowed.
What are some of the factors leading
to marital demise? Based upon my own
observations as a practicing divorce attorney for over 25 years it comes down
to a couple of things. First, so much
energy was focused on their children that they did nothing to keep their
relationship strong. They grew
apart. Strive to keep your marriage
strong. Take trips together without your
children, even when they are young.
Believe me, they’ll survive.
Secondly, many baby boomers are on the second or third marriage. IF they are healthy and active and the
relationship has become stale or burdensome there is a stronger likelihood that
the individual will divorce again.
Third, watch out for retirement.
Being together all the time, when you haven’t been in the past, can be
stressful. Find some hobbies each of you
can pursue on your own, as my mom would say: “let there be space in your
togetherness.” However, make sure you schedule time to be together as well and
pursue mutual interest.
Generally, there are greater
implications when one is older and getting a divorce. These implications can be added pressure on
the children and family. The children
and other family members probably (hopefully) like both of you. They won’t know how to deal with you now you
are not couple. Stress on finances, and
dividing assets like investments, social security, retirement accounts, and tax
implications, all have greater significance and ramifications as an older
couple. Generally, speaking you have
acquired more.
Hopefully, you will have wonderful
marriage now that the kids are gone. It
really is a time to reconnect and enjoy one another. No more pressures of child rearing. More
disposable income, right? You’re not
paying for school, braces, dance, and the list goes on and on. However, if your marriage happens to be once
of the statistics you should seek competent legal representation to insure you
are getting what you deserve.
The experienced divorce attorneys of
Richards & Godfrey will work closely with you to understand your needs,
review your rights and options, consider creative alternatives, and prepare a
sound legal strategy for your divorce and family law case.
To schedule a
consultation with the attorneys at
Richards & Godfrey today, call (801) 621-7443 or contact us online
at: www.richardsgodfrey.com .
No comments:
Post a Comment