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The older your relationship, the more complex divorce will be

On Behalf of | Jun 26, 2013 | Alimony

In the past, married couples together for years and years were often perceived as unbreakable. However, more and more, these supposedly ironclad relationships are turning to divorce to end years of marriage. Experts are blaming baby boomers for shaking up the status quo as the demographic continues seeing increased rates of divorce. It seems that many individuals are realizing that they are no longer happy in their relationships, and that they no longer want to spend the rest of their lives with the person they married so many years ago. Unfortunately, a number of divorce issues will be much harder to deal with after a long-term marriage as compared to one that is much shorter. One of these issues is spousal support.

A poll conducted by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers indicated that nearly two-thirds of U.S. divorce attorneys have seen an uptick in the number of divorces among people over the age of 50. That means that “gray divorces,” the term coined for older divorces, are likely on the increase in Ohio. Though boomers are likely to blame, it seems that many do not understand the complicated processes they are throwing themselves into.

For instance, both spouses have likely settled into the routine of the marriage. This may mean that one spouse generates most of the income while the other stayed home to raise the kids. But most boomers have seen their kids grow up and leave home by now, potentially causing what some experts call empty nest syndrome. This can leave parents wondering what to do with their extra time now that the kids have moved out. In some cases, it can lead to divorce. When it does — and when income between the two spouses is disparate — it often results in an alimony ruling. Such a ruling can have a major impact on both spouses involved in the matter.

If you are expecting a divorce, it would be wise to speak with a lawyer. She or he may be able to help you forecast the rest of your split, especially if you are willing to provide the information necessary for such estimation. With enough data, spousal support may even be guessed at, giving you an idea of how much you will be paying or receiving after the proceedings are complete.

Source: IOL Lifestyle, “‘Grey’ divorces on the rise” Patricia Reaney, Jun. 14, 2013

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