Change is never easy. In fact, most people experience some form of stress when major changes happen in their lives. The same holds true in cases of divorce, especially after many years of marriage.
It is estimated that across the United States, including New Jersey, a quarter of the people who divorce are 50 years or older. Many of these couples have been married for twenty or thirty years or even longer. After so many years of marriage, a divorce may be experienced as emotionally overwhelming, but it can be the start of a new life.
There are certain coping mechanisms that can assist in helping a person survive, and even prosper, after divorce. The first thing to remember is that both the partners in a marriage that lasted many years have changed. Neither is the same person as the one who got married so many years ago, and that is why it is important to prepare both legally and emotionally for what lies ahead.
If one of the spouses was financially dependent on the other, it is important for the dependent spouse to ensure his or her long-term financial security. It is just as important that this spouse never agrees to sign a divorce agreement before he or she is completely satisfied with the division of finances. While taking care of financial security is important, it is just as important to ensure emotional security by taking time to recover after the divorce and calling on the support network of family and friends.
New Jersey couples who are over 50 and considering divorce may find it beneficial to obtain the help of a legal expert to assist them through the difficult negotiations in order to reach a fair settlement. Coming to an understanding and reaching a mutually acceptable agreement can be difficult and complicated, but it does not have to be impossible. With the assistance of experienced family law attorneys, the couple can avoid some of the pitfalls involved in reaching a divorce settlement.
Source: forbes.com, “How to survive divorce after 50“, Tania Brown, Accessed on July 11, 2017