People considering divorce after 50 often worry about the downsides: loneliness, upset adult children, the loss of companionship and established routines. But there also is the potential for a happier life after a divorce. The key to a beneficial divorce is to prepare yourself and create a plan for dealing with the inevitable changes.
Thinking ahead to avoid financial upheaval
A brief online search brings back dozens of articles about the financial difficulties of a so-called “gray divorce.” Whether you earned more than your spouse during the marriage, or vice versa, you can plan ahead to ask for what you need.
Lower-earning partners have options that can help them keep the standard of living they are used to after the divorce. Factors to consider include:
- If asking to keep your house after the divorce is financially sensible
- If a spousal support request should ask for alimony until the spouse paying alimony reaches retirement age
- If you qualify for a portion of your ex’s Social Security benefits
- If the higher-earning spouse can release a portion of their retirement accounts through a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO)
Higher-earning partners can discover ways to support their financial health by discussing the matter with a qualified Massachusetts divorce attorney. The attorney can explain the use of asset division, QDROs, or other measures to assist their ex financially instead of through alimony payments.
A second chance to thrive
Many people who end a long marriage want a fresh start. Flexing your autonomy muscles by making a major life change after 50 can help you continue to take responsibility for your own choices for the rest of your life.
It’s normal to have concerns about ending a marriage after age 50, age 60 or beyond. But with appropriate legal and financial advice, a late-in-life divorce can open the doors to a better future.