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Gray Divorce Later in Life

At the turn of the last century, the life expectancy of the average American was 44 years. At the turn of the current century, the life expectancy was 77 years. Baby Boomers see many healthy years ahead and they want to be happy. An increased life span creates opportunities for such things as new careers, travel, and personal development. In addition, increased life expectancy combined with dissatisfaction with a marriage can create a desire for divorce. Later in life divorce is often referred to as gray divorce.

If you are over 50 and contemplating divorce after a long marriage, contact Vetrano | Vetrano & Feinman LLC for a consultation with a lawyer highly experienced in this area.

Unique Issues of Gray Divorce

Many believe that men leave their aging, chubby, postmenopausal wives for fertile, younger, thin women. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Statistics show that more than 65 percent of the divorces after the age of fifty are initiated by women. Much of this female-initiated divorce may be rooted in the drastically altered reality of postmenopausal women.

What has been important to women—connection, approval, children, and making sure the family stayed together—is no longer the first thing on their minds. And the changing chemistry of women’s brains is responsible for the shifting reality of their lives. (Louann Brizendine, M.D. The Female Brain)

We have seen the psychological and physiological change in many men and women throughout our years of practice at Vetrano | Vetrano & Feinman LLC. Our attorneys understand the desire that arises later in life to want more and how that may result in the difficult decision to divorce. We can help you consider the issues that may arise in a late life divorce, such as:

    Older couple meeting in conference room with Kate Vetrano |Gray Divorce | Vetrano | Vetrano & Feinman
    • The division of retirement benefits
    • Home ownership, which can give rise to issues of upkeep and resale
    • The decrease of alimony due to a payer’s retirement or decrease in income
    • The potential loss or reduction of social security when a party remarries or receives benefits at an earlier age
    • The possible unavailability of health benefits from a former spouse’s employer
    • Projected nursing home care
    • Alteration of wills/estate planning
    • Unavailability of Medicare when alimony ceases

    Although many couples delay divorce until children are grown leaving for college and no longer live in the same household, it is important to consider what is truly best for your children. It may not always be best to wait. Anxiety levels could be very high for a college freshmen worried about her parents at home. Our divorce lawyers have the skill and experience necessary to help you deal with these and many other issues associated with a divorce after a long marriage.

    Contact us to speak with a compassionate and understanding divorce lawyer about a gray divorce (over 50) at our King of Prussia, Pennsylvania law office.

    Vetrano Vetrano & Feinman Attorneys Tony Vetrano, Lindsay Childs, Sarinia Feinman, Kate Vetrano and Donna Marcus

    Need to Talk to Us?

    Our experienced family lawyers take the time to fully understand the financial and emotional complexities that can be involved in separating two lives. We offer the patience and resources to effectively guide clients through a divorce, addressing all the challenges they may face in moving forward with their lives. To learn more about how we can help protect your rights and interests in a complex divorce, contact the Pennsylvania divorce attorneys at Vetrano | Vetrano & Feinman LLC.