The divorce process is different for everyone, as every couple has unique wants and needs that they hope to meet in their settlement agreement. With this, couples in different age groups need to handle different terms. Read on to learn about gray divorce and how a seasoned York County, PA divorce mediation attorney at Ilkhanoff & Silverstein can work with your best interest in mind.
What is considered a gray divorce in the state of Pennsylvania?
Generally speaking, gray divorce is when spouses that are over the age of 50 decide to go their separate ways after a long-lasting marriage together. This term has gained in popularity as there has been a demographic trend of an increasing divorce rate for this age group.
What issues must be dealt with during a gray divorce?
Notably, gray divorce is unique to a standard divorce because this age group must settle certain divorce issues that younger couples typically do not even consider. Examples of such unique divorce issues read as follows:
- You and your spouse will have to assess whether a new life insurance policy is needed.
- You and your spouse will have to assess whether inheritance plans need to be divided.
- You and your spouse will need to determine alimony if one is collecting social security from the other’s earnings.
- You and your spouse will need to determine child support for your child’s college education.
- You and your spouse will need to discern the marital property from the separate property.
Why might mediation be beneficial for a gray divorce?
Divorce mediation is a favorable option for many divorcing couples. This is particularly the case for those who are considered to be undergoing a gray divorce. The following are points as to why it might be beneficial:
- It is cost-effective: a litigated divorce can get quite expensive. With many gray divorce couples planning for retirement or already being retired, litigation is not the most economical route. On the other hand, mediation may cost close to nothing.
- It is time-effective: a litigated divorce can sometimes take years to play out. With many gray divorce couples likely unwilling to waste precious time with this process, opting for mediation may be the more efficient choice.
- It is stress-free: a litigated divorce can get quite stressful. With many gray divorce couples likely dealing with medical issues, jobs, supporting their children, etc., they may not want to add another stressor to their life. If still amicable, mediation can be a more peaceful process.
If you may be undergoing a gray divorce, contact a competent York County, PA uncontested divorce attorney as soon as you can.
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