4 Tips for Surviving Divorce When You Are Over the Age of 50

 Posted on April 19, 2021 in Divorce

While the overall divorce rate is decreasing in the United States, the divorce rate for adults over the age of 50 is actually still rising. According to the Pew Research Center, the divorce rate for adults 50 and older nearly doubled since the 1990s, while the divorce rate for adults 65 and older has nearly tripled in the same time period. Older adults who divorce face many different and often more difficult challenges than younger couples, which may also be why research tends to show that divorce also affects older adults more than younger adults. Going through the divorce process can be arduous at any age, but it can be especially difficult for adults who are over the age of 50. Here are a few things that may help ease the stress and strain of the divorce process when you are an older adult:

1. Remember to Take Care of Yourself

According to some studies, adults who are over the age of 50 and who have gone through a gray divorce report higher levels of depression than adults over the age of 50 whose spouses have died. Going through a divorce later in life can be hard mentally and emotionally, so it is important to practice self-care throughout and after the divorce. Drink enough water, get enough sleep and try to stay active to keep yourself feeling your best.

2. Expand Your Support Circle

A divorce can impact the social life of any person, no matter the age. Those who are over the age of 50 should consider broadening their social horizon when they are going through a divorce. This can help you enlarge your circle of support and it can also help you discover new activities that you may enjoy or new hobbies that you may want to take up.

3. Take a Second Look at Your Budget

If you are planning to get a divorce later in life, you should really take a good look at your finances before you do so. Research has shown that getting a divorce when you are close to or near retirement can be extremely detrimental to your financial health. Before or during the divorce process, you should sit down, perhaps with a financial analyst, and plan out a budget that seems feasible after your divorce, taking into account that you will only have one income after everything is said and done.

4. Hire a DuPage County Divorce Lawyer Who Has Experience With Gray Divorce

Any divorce has the potential to be stressful, but there are many reasons why a gray divorce can be particularly stressful. If you are pondering the possibility of getting a divorce and you are over the age of 50, you should discuss your options with a Wheaton, IL divorce lawyer. At the Law Office of Ronald L. Hendrix, P.C., our attorneys have more than 35 years of combined legal experience and will make sure you understand all of the options available to you for your later-in-life divorce. To schedule a free consultation to learn more about your divorce options, call our office today at 630-355-7776.

Sources:

https://www.nextavenue.org/navigate-late-in-life-divorce/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/complicated-love/201809/7-key-facts-about-divorce-after-long-marriages

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-gray-divorce-tips-for_b_3454624