A new trend is emerging in the United States where more senior citizens are filing for divorce, and it is no different here in Maryland. In fact, according to a Bowling Green State University study, the divorce rate doubled between 1990 and 2010 for people 50 years of age and older. According to the study, 48 percent of those divorces were for couples who were in their first marriage.
If either party chooses to marry again after his or her divorce, experts advise that they should ask for a prenuptial agreement to protect their earned assets. Experts also advise people who divorce late in life to not date others until the divorce is final as not to upset the other party. They advise that it is best to keep the emotions neutral between themselves and their soon to be ex-spouse.
In some instances, one party of a divorce will want to keep living in the family home, but if that person does, he or she should be ready to give up something else in return. Courts will try to separate the marital assets as evenly as they can. While child support for minor children is usually not an issue in these cases, the courts will not address supporting adult children unless those children are disabled and cannot care for themselves. Many judges will grant alimony through the court proceedings to any long-term marriage and will often divide any retirement funds that the couple has saved.
Divorce for senior citizens can come after a lifetime of good and bad memories. Maryland attorneys can help to muddle through the good and the bad and help a couple end their married lives together on a good note. These attorneys can also help a person decide which assets should go to whom.
Source: money.usnews.com, “7 Things to Know About Divorcing During Your Senior Years“, Maryalene Laponsie, April 24, 2015