“Gray Divorce” Has Many Added Complications

Our Phoenix divorce lawyers discuss “Gray Divorce” and its many added complications.

While the divorce rate among the general population in the United States experienced a mild reduction, the rate of people older than fifty (50) seeking divorces has skyrocketed. In the past twenty (20) years, the senior divorce rate has doubled.

Divorce can be complicated and difficult for anyone, but divorce is particularly troublesome for older Americans who may be facing even greater financial repercussions than their younger counterparts. Seniors who are dissolving a marriage are often living on fixed incomes generated from sources like Social Security, pensions, and annuities.

Dividing seniors’ incomes will likely result in serious consequences to their lifestyles:

Many senior married couples have been together for ten (10) years or more, so they tend to be financially intertwined in complex ways. Many are surprised at how a divorce can impact one’s life when assets are split. Experts in the divorce field go so far as to suggest that a senior spouse not disclose considerations of a divorce with the other spouse before taking a realistic look at the decision emotionally, intellectually, and financially.

If you are covered by your spouse’s health insurance plan, you may suddenly find yourself without coverage. If both spouses have a history of health issues, legal separation may be preferable to a divorce.

It is always wise to seek a knowledgeable and experienced family law attorney when facing a divorce.

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If you have questions concerning your divorce, please contact the family law attorneys at the law firm of Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C. in Phoenix. We can be reached at (480) 467-3434 or contact us online to set up a consultation today.

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About the Author

Heather Baker-Mushkatel graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2001, and obtained her Juris Doctorate from Brooklyn Law School in 2004. Heather is an Arizona native who left the state for school but returned home to practice law in 2004 with her primary area of focus being family law….