For some couples in the U.S., divorce is a sad and firm reality that they will face at some point. Whether it’s for infidelity, incompatibility, or any other number of common reasons, couples will find that the marriage is no longer working and each party will need to hire a Denver divorce lawyer to make sure they don’t lose more in asset division, custody, or visitation than they should. Couples over the age of 50 will also need to face this reality, but with a few different nuances than a younger couple would.
Roughly one (1) in every four (4) marriages that ends in divorce will involve a couple that is over 50 years old; these types of divorce are what are known as gray divorces and are becoming more common, if not prevalent, than years prior. In decades past, divorce was frowned upon and divorcees were seen as a sort of social pariah; to avoid this outcast designation, many couples would grit their teeth and stay together long after the marriage had gone cold.
If you’re considering filing for divorce and are over the age of 50, or if you’re currently going through divorce and negotiating terms with your family law attorney, review this list to avoid making mistakes that we see over and over again.
Choosing the wrong Denver family law attorney to represent you: It should come as no surprise that negotiating divorce and dealing with asset division, custody, and finances is tricky to say the least. You need a Denver divorce lawyer who knows the complex legal code, how to uncover if your soon-to-be ex-spouse is hiding assets (which is illegal), how to prove there are hidden assets, and ensure that you don’t lose personal assets to be mislabeled and divided as joint assets. Even if you’re on good terms with your partner, it is better to have a trained divorce lawyer representing you to ensure nothing goes awry.
Picking the wrong assets to fight over: Many individuals going through divorce want to fight tooth and nail for the home they built, but it’s not always the best idea to go after the home as the asset you want. Couples often get homes and negotiate their mortgage with combined incomes, but after the split, you’ll be paying it off by yourself. If you can afford this: great. If you hadn’t yet considered this, speak with your Denver divorce lawyer about the other assets that may benefit your new lifestyle.
Overlooking your health insurance policy: Are you currently covered through your partner’s policy? Once the divorce is finalized, if not a bit before, you’ll be forced to find your own health insurance and sadly, as you continue to grow older, new health complications will likely pop up, so your coverage may be pricier than you expect.
Not closing joint accounts: If you added your partner to a bank account, or if you have retirement accounts together, it’s best to settle those matters before it becomes muddied and classified as a shared marital asset.
Divorce is never easy, and facing it after the age of 50 may be the most terrifying endeavor of your life. The uncertainty of it all is too much for one person to handle on their own. That’s why you need a professional and knowledgeable Denver divorce attorney on your side to make sure you’re set for success as you embark on life on your own for the first time in a long time. If you have any questions about gray divorce, or divorce in general, call our offices or contact us via email today to begin discussing the details of your case.