The majority of people who divorce have been
married from one month to 15 years. This seems
to be the time when people who are disillusioned
with marriage decide to call it quits. We focus on
these individuals because they have young children
and we are concerned for their personal and
financial well-being. Now there seems to be
another age group interested in going their
separate ways. Men and women who have been
married 25 years or more are now deciding to
divorce.
These people don't have to worry about child
support; their children are on their own. They
do however; have other aspects that are unique
to their situation.
By this time most are near or at retirement
age or possibly both are retired and have not
worked in quite awhile. Some have nice retirement
incomes, with the mortgage paid off, others don't.
These people are living on pensions and retirement
incomes that are barely adequate to sustain two
people in one dwelling, let alone two people in
two dwellings.
How will they survive? Can the spouses and the
courts expect a formerly unemployed 65 years
old to return to the work force? This age group
needs to pay close attention to finances before
divorcing.
There is another consideration. It's extremely
difficult for people of this age group to recover
personally. After so many years with the same
person, how do they move on...alone? After
all these years why do they want to?
Most likely these people stayed together for
the sake of their children. You just don't wake
up after 35 years of marriage and say " I'm not
happy" and then initiate a divorce. The idea had
to have been there a long time. Hopefully, along
with the idea, they also had a financial plan
because settlements of this age group would
be based on accumulated assets only. There won't
be spousal support because there isn't any earning
power. This could be the saddest of all situations
unless they have a financial plan. This plan would
have included major savings and assets in joint
names. They would have had to avoid spending
money on anything that doesn't have a monetary
value such as travel.
The truth is, that most of these people did not
have a plan. They simply wanted to wait until
the children were grown, not wanting to upset
their lives. Ironically most seniors that get
divorced are forced to live with their children!
It would have been less upsetting to their
children's lives and to their own, if they had
divorced years ago.
This age group cannot recover financially from
divorce. Their coping skills are not as strong as
it was in their youth. The past with this spouse
is so long and the memories are deep. How can
they separate who they are from their marriage.
How do they start over?
Divorcing seniors need to quickly assess their
assets and adjust their living expenses to
accommodate their money. There must be
cutbacks and compromises made in all
purchases. Extensive use of sales and coupons
will be necessary for all items that are needed.
They will have to be very disciplined in order to
survive. Personally, they should get involved in
social groups immediately. Volunteering is an
excellent way to stay active while contributing
to the community and sense of worthiness.
Take long walks to get exercise and fresh air.
Have fun with your friends.
If you've waited this long to divorce, you should
enjoy it!
Liz Wertman
"Divorce Strategy for Men and Women".
For those that want their questions answered
and their problems solved!
Preparation and protection for your future! www.divorcewell.com
Advertising Information 
