Redondo Beach Senior Divorce Lawyer

Senior Divorce Attorney in Redondo Beach, CA

Getting divorced at any age can be complicated, but divorces later in life are often more complex and involved. It can be challenging to detangle decades of shared assets, but that shouldn’t dissuade you from choosing to divorce for your own happiness. A Redondo Beach senior divorce lawyer can help you make informed decisions about your divorce and guide you through the divorce process in California.

Hire a Senior Divorce Lawyer

When getting divorced, it is a good idea to have an outside party who knows the local, state, and federal regulations that could affect your divorce petition. When you hire a senior divorce lawyer from Rombro & Manley LLP, you gain an experienced advocate who knows the senior divorce laws in California. Our dedicated law firm can help you reach a fair divorce agreement that honors your rights and interests with the guidance of an experienced family lawyer.

Gray Divorce in the United States

The phenomenon of divorcing later in life, known as a gray divorce, was relatively rare before the 1990s. A 2026 article in Psychology Today examines gray divorce trends. After the 1990s, gray divorce rates more than doubled, with researchers predicting that gray divorce rates could more than triple by 2030. Increases in rates of gray divorce have been examined in the United States as well as:

• Canada
• United Kingdom
• Japan
• Europe
• Australia
• India

According to a 2021 article from the United States Census Bureau, rates of marriage among all men and women over the age of 15 are 63% and 69%, respectively. However, for older adults, those numbers are much higher. For adults between 60 and 69, 91% of men and 92% of women have been married. Average divorce rates for adults over 20 are 34% for women and 33% for men, but divorce rates for adults aged 55 to 64 are higher, at 39% for both genders.

If you are planning to file for divorce in Redondo Beach, you can file with the Los Angeles Superior Court at the Torrance Courthouse in Torrance, which serves the South Bay area.

Special Considerations When Divorcing Later in Life

Gray divorce comes with unique challenges that younger couples are less likely to consider. Some special considerations when divorcing later in life include:

• Dividing retirement accounts. To divide retirement savings that were accumulated during a marriage, the court needs to issue a Qualified Domestic Relations Order so those funds can be directed to the former spouse.
• Social Security benefits. If you were married for a minimum of 10 years, you could be eligible for Social Security benefits based on your former spouse’s work history.
• Spousal support. For long-term marriages, you could qualify for indefinite spousal support, especially if your standard of living would be greatly altered by the divorce. You could also seek this type of spousal support if you have little work history that would allow you to provide for yourself.
• Health insurance coverage. If your health insurance plan is tied to your former spouse’s employer, that coverage ends once the divorce is finalized.
• Inheritances. An inheritance given to only one spouse does not count as marital property, but there are special considerations if the inheritance was commingled.
• Update estate planning. You should update any existing estate plan, or you could create a new estate plan that more accurately reflects your wishes and values moving forward.
• Effects on adult children. When your children no longer live at home, you may think the divorce will have little effect on them. However, when family dynamics change, it can have a negative effect on adult children.

FAQs About Redondo Beach, CA Senior Divorce Laws

What Shouldn’t You Do Before Getting a Divorce?

When preparing to get divorced, there are some behaviors to avoid until the divorce has been finalized. You should not attempt to hide assets or give items to family members or friends. You should also avoid draining any accounts that contain community property. Making new purchases should also be avoided, as these items are likely to be considered community property.

What Is the Rule of 65 in a Divorce?

The Rule of 65, as it relates to divorce, describes how spousal support is determined. When a marriage lasts for 10 years or more, spousal support is often awarded, although the amount can change over time. For longer marriages, the Rule of 65 determines if spousal support should be indefinite. If the recipient’s age plus the number of years of marriage is over 65, they are more likely to receive indefinite support.

Can I Start Dating Before My Divorce Is Finalized in California?

Legally, you can begin dating before your divorce is finalized because California is a no-fault state, but it could cause financial and legal complications during the divorce process. If you still have minor children at home, dating could negatively impact your child custody arrangement. If you spend marital assets before the divorce is finalized, you could be penalized by the judge and receive a smaller share of the marital assets when they are divided.

Which Assets Are Divided in a Divorce in California?

Unless there is a separate agreement, all assets acquired from the date of marriage until the date of separation are divided during a divorce, with limited exceptions. Assets brought into the marriage are considered separate property, as are gifts or inheritances received by only one spouse. These are not considered marital property that can be divided. Proving that specific assets shouldn’t be considered marital property can be difficult without documentation.

Is California a 50/50 Divorce State?

Yes, California is a 50/50 divorce state. Often described as a community property state, when a couple divorces, each is entitled to half of all debts and assets that were accumulated during the marriage. Couples can negotiate the terms of their divorce, but courts are required to split assets equally if an agreement is not submitted. Community property continues to accumulate until the official date of separation.

Contact a Redondo Beach Senior Divorce Lawyer at Rombro & Manley LLP

At Rombro & Manley LLP, our team includes two Board-Certified Family Law Specialists. With over 65 years of combined experience, we understand the short- and long-term needs of our clients in their senior divorce cases. When you hire a Redondo Beach senior divorce attorney from our firm, you are working with the same team throughout the process. Contact Rombro & Manley LLP today to schedule an initial consultation.