Divorce at RetirementDivorce at Retirement - those two words just don't sound right together, do they? This seems quite incompatible to me... but it happens. Retirement and Divorce happens to long time 30 year marriages, as well as newer marriages that simply don't bear the test of time. Legal Separation vs Divorce Before you go through a divorce, you might consider a Legal Separation vs Divorce instead. Just another option while you are in the "maybe" stage or even permanently. Evaluate your marriage versus divorce First, evaluate your marriage and be honest with yourself -- how good was good and how bad was bad? Is it possible that you should try again? Did you stay together just because it was simpler than divorce? Was he/she controlling? Everything suddenly changes -- good or bad -- depending on how you handle it. It's YOUR choice on how you live the rest of your life.. it really is! If you choose divorce, think twice about how YOU approach it. A Divorce at Retirement might just be the Freedom you always wanted. For one gal at my church, it is... I've never seen a retired woman so "happy go lucky" and this gal just glows (despite a recent divorce after a 30 year marriage). She doesn't have all the financial resources she needs (that's not it at all), but she is happy! Just think -- she doesn't have to cook meals if she feels like running out instead. She can do crafts all day and leave them on the dining room table for a month (grin!). She might take an adult education course, volunteer for church, meet friends for the buy 1 - get 1 free lunches, whatever she chooses to do! She can come and go as you please... nobody to report to, just have her new found freedom, own way with the world. Retirement Divorce and Splitting Assets Finances... your divorce lawyer will help you sort through the equitable split in your divorce monies and household items. Beware, an divorce attorney can totally help you; but the split depends on the couple agreeing on it all. Any attorney will charge you for every call, every court appearance -- so be fair and try to settle between the two of you as much as possible. Save your monies for a long retirement, instead of making a divorce attorney richer.. Grin! Always Understand your Financial Life Now, you might have a good understanding on how finances are handled in your household. BOTH partners should always be aware of where important documents are located and how much you have in savings, and how expenses fit in your life. If you don't know, find out... always be aware of what your financial situation is. If you are considering divorce, start documenting/copying some financial documents now. Plan ahead so you know what is out there in case funds are missing later... Pension and Divorce All company pensions in divorce are part of the marital assets to be split. Domestic Relations Orders (below) are the court document itself. Domestic Relations Order Assuming you divorce, does the court order a Domestic Relations Order to split a company pension? QDRO / EDRO's are court orders issued in divorce situations to assure that spouses share an employers retirement benefits. If a divorce happens after years of marriage, don't miss out on this benefit, PLEASE don't simply forfeit your rights to a future benefit... Follow your Intuition if Something Just Feels Wrong Finally, BEWARE! We all know darn well that some spouses lie and cheat -- not all of them, but some do. If you even think something odd is happening, trust your intuition and watch closely. Why blind yourself (it's called "denial", right?) if something is happening and you choose not to recognize it? If nothing else, get copies of all your financial statements, in case you need them some day.... One woman was married for 30 years, and her husband pushed her towards retirement. He came to my office with her, to help her in the retirement decisions, and calmed her retirement jitters -- just like hundreds of other husbands have over the years. Fine. NOT SO FINE -- within months, he was living in Florida (she was still in Michigan) with a "blond bimbo" as she calls the new partner. Retirement was locked in, he gets her lifetime pension at her death. She is suddenly retired, single, can't make it on her pension alone and is two years from Social Security. She has to return to work, sell her home, figure out reduced living expenses on a smaller income, and try to work through the huge emotional burden of betrayal. There were signs, she didn't see them until it was too late. Now, who knows... this may have been complete Freedom for her, in the end, or maybe not. I only know about her shock at the betrayal AFTER she completed her retirement paperwork. I hope and pray she found peace... and happiness! Relationships after Divorce What about new relationships after divorce? Do you go there? Divorce is never nice... especially in retirement when you assumed you'd grow old together. New! CommentsPlease consider leaving your two cents... questions and comments about what you just read! It only takes one retirees thoughts to help another retiree... |
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