At the Law Office of Afsana Chowdhury, we recognize the importance of ensuring the divorce process represents the best outcome for your situation. When you work with our Fairfax gray divorce attorney, we will provide you with fair, compassionate legal support throughout the process.
What Is Gray Divorce?
A gray divorce is a term used to describe the desire to get a divorce later in life. Many people reach their 50s or 60s and learn that they no longer wish to live the same life they have been, or they may have found that, now that they are retired and the kids have moved out, they are no longer compatible with each other. Getting divorced while older isn’t a bad thing, but it does complicate the process more so because of the higher likelihood of added assets.
Gray divorce statistics are clear — older people are getting divorced more often. Data released by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2021 found that nearly 35% of people who got divorced in the prior year were over the age of 55. That data dates back a few years, but it clearly indicates that older people are making decisions for their future that are not always in line with their spouses.
It’s also important to note that some people over the age of 55 make the decision to separate as opposed to going through a divorce. They may realize that divorcing will significantly diminish their overall financial capacity and could leave them facing financial hardships. In other cases, they do not want to be without health insurance. They remain legally married to ensure they can stay on their spouse’s health insurance. Yet, in these cases, they have a separation agreement in place that is working to allow them to live separate lives.
At the Law Office of Afsana Chowdhury, we work with you to create the legal separation or divorce that you need in line with your goals and expectations. Set up a consultation with a Fairfax gray divorce attorney to discuss your case with us today.
What Are the Causes of a Gray Divorce?
It’s often difficult for people to think about divorce after the age of 50, often wondering what life would be like apart after 25 or more years together. Yet, divorce can be beneficial when the reasons for it make sense. Some of the reasons we see for people wanting to seek out divorce include the following:
- There are no minor children in the home any longer. If you’ve stayed together for the kids, that’s no longer necessary.
- Interests and ideas are different. People change over their lifetimes, and sometimes those changes make it difficult to remain together.
- Life is shorter now that you’re older, and you may want to explore new activities, hobbies, and relationships.
No matter what reasons you have to divorce or separate, our Fairfax gray divorce attorney can provide you with clear information on what to expect from the process. Set up a consultation with us now to discuss those concerns.
Unique Aspects of a Gray Divorce
Divorcing after 50 seems like a daunting process, and that’s because it is. It is often easier to divorce at a young age because there are fewer assets to consider and more time to build up retirement accounts. Our legal team will advise you on the entire process, including what to expect throughout the legal steps and how assets may be divided. There are a few key things to keep in mind.
- Social Security: In some situations, you may qualify for benefits under your spouse’s Social Security. During the divorce process, we need to consider if this plays a role in asset allocation. The court cannot divide Social Security payments, but you may be compensated in another way.
- Retirement: The same applies to retirement. If one spouse has worked to build a retirement account during the marriage, a portion of those funds may be considered marital assets divisible under the law.
- Division of Assets: This occurs in all divorces, but in a gray divorce, it can be more challenging, especially if you do not want to sell your home.
- Health Insurance: It can be harder to manage health insurance if only one party has access to it.
- Spousal Support: A component of the divorce may focus on the equitable division of assets. In some cases, one party may not have the earning power of the other, requiring spousal support.
- Life Insurance: The value of life insurance policies needs to be considered as well as the need for obtaining a life insurance policy for spouses receiving spousal support.
What Is the Average Cost of a Gray Divorce?
The Law Office of Afsana Chowdhury offers a different approach than most to divorce costs. When you utilize our Fairfax gray divorce attorney, you pay a flat fee for our service. We do not charge based on the number of hours we work on your case, as most attorneys do.
Our costs vary based on a number of factors. However, when you call to set up a consultation with our attorney, you will get straight, fair, and transparent pricing for the services we offer. We also cap our fees, which means you do not incur additional fees or have to worry about any surprise costs later.
How to Get Through Your Gray Divorce to Your Next Phase of Life
Making the decision to learn about your legal options is the first step. Though it seems scary right now, you may be entitled to financial compensation and a division of assets that could make it possible for you to create a new life that’s best suited for your future. Our attorney can help you learn what’s next and what the future looks like.
Contact the Law Office of Afsana Chowdhury for Immediate Help
Our Fairfax gray divorce attorney is available to work with you. Take the first step now by reaching out to us for a consultation by calling 703-382-5504. Even if you’re not sure you’re ready to move forward, we can provide answers to your questions and reassure you that you will not be alone during this process. Set up a consultation now.