Divorcing later in life can be complex. Whether the decision to divorce was mutual, you have decided to serve your spouse, or you have been served, some special considerations need to be made. Divorcing after 50 in Redondo Beach can be complicated and rewarding.
Hire a Senior Divorce Lawyer in Redondo Beach, CA
Simple divorces may be achieved without legal representation, but senior divorce cases often include unique circumstances that could benefit from a divorce lawyer from Rombro & Manley LLP. Without skilled representation, you may not receive what you’re owed.
If you still share minor children, you will need to decide on child custody and child support. Even if there are no children to consider, there could be issues involving spousal support, retirement savings, and how assets should be divided.
Contact Rombro & Manley LLP
Divorcing After 50 in the United States
According to a 2026 article in Psychology Today, the rate of later-in-life divorces, or gray divorces, has doubled between 2004 and 2024. Researchers predict that the rate of gray divorce should triple by 2030. Couples who divorced after 50 reported the reason as:
- Disconnection with their spouse
- Wanting something more or different
- Escaping mental, emotional, or physical abuse
- Reacting to their spouse’s infidelity or addiction
Information from the United States Census Bureau shows that marriage rates among men and women aged 60 or older are significantly higher than average, with some 91% of men and 92% of women having been married at least once.
On average, only 63% of men and 69% of women have been married at least once. Average divorce rates are 33% for men and 34% for women, while the rates for those 55 to 64 are 43% for both men and women and 39% for those aged 65 to 74.
When filing for divorce in Redondo Beach, you have to file with the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Cases are usually filed at the Torrance Courthouse, but they can also be filed at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse.
Divorce Considerations for Older Couples
Going through a divorce is never easy, but the challenges become more numerous as you get older. Special considerations must be accounted for when going through the gray divorce process. Age-specific issues include:
- Couples in their 50s. At this age, many couples have children who are in or about to start college. When divorcing, you need to consider how college expenses should be covered and reach an agreement on how much each spouse can contribute.
- Couples in their 60s. Once you reach your sixties, you start to consider what your retirement years should consist of. During a divorce, you may have to make concessions on how you plan to spend your retirement or at what age you plan to retire.
- Couples in their 70s. When you’re already retired, getting a divorce comes with many additional considerations that could affect your day-to-day life. Retirement benefits must be properly distributed, and one or both spouses may require greater medical care.
Concerns to Discuss With Your Senior Divorce Attorney
Your attorney can guide you through the senior divorce laws relevant to your case. They can also explain what your divorce process could be like based on your specific circumstances. Some concerns you might have include:
- Are you eligible for spousal support?
- How are retirement funds distributed?
- Can you receive Social Security benefits?
- Are you still covered by your spouse’s health insurance?
- What happens if you decide to get remarried?
Schedule Your First Conversation.
FAQs
Is It Worth Divorcing at 50?
Depending on your personal circumstances, it could be worth it to divorce at 50. Divorcing later in life can be challenging and affect whether you view a divorce as worthwhile. Certain financial impacts could affect when and how comfortably you can retire.
However, if you are unhappy, unfulfilled, or living with an abusive or addicted spouse, the tradeoffs may be worth it. You can fulfill personal goals while seeking your own happiness and freedom.
What Is Meant by a Gray Divorce?
In general, a divorce is described as a gray divorce when it involves a couple who is over the age of 50. Usually, these couples have been in a long-term marriage of 20 to 30 years or more and have adult children.
This type of divorce often involves issues around the distribution of retirement accounts, Social Security benefits, and health insurance. Many spouses qualify for long-term spousal support in addition to marital assets.
Can I Get Spousal Support After Divorcing Later in Life?
You could qualify for spousal support after divorcing later in life, depending on the characteristics of your marriage. If you were married for 10 years or more, you could qualify for indefinite support, even after your former spouse retires.
Indefinite support lasts until one spouse gets remarried, they die, or the court orders the payments to be stopped. If the marriage lasted less than 10 years, support is usually only issued to last for half the length of the marriage.
Do I Need to Redo My Estate Plan After a Gray Divorce?
After a gray divorce, if you have an established estate plan, you do need to make changes to your estate planning that reflect the changes in your personal relationships. Any accounts with a named beneficiary should be updated to reflect your wishes.
If you have a will, trust, or Power of Attorney with your former spouse named as a beneficiary, trustee, or executor, you should update these documents.
Do I Need an Attorney With Experience in Gray Divorces?
Although not a requirement, it is highly recommended that you hire an attorney with experience in gray divorces when going through a divorce after 50. A later-in-life divorce often comes with unique challenges that benefit from experienced legal counsel.
Your senior divorce attorney can guide you through the challenges of dividing retirement accounts, making changes to estate plans, and seeking Social Security benefits.
Contact Rombro & Manley LLP
When you hire a senior divorce lawyer from Rombro & Manley LLP, your case is handled by one of our board-certified family law attorneys. With over 65 years of combined experience, we understand the complexities of the California divorce process.
Without a Redondo Beach senior divorce attorney, you could risk losing access to your spouse’s retirement accounts or Social Security benefits. Contact Rombro & Manley LLP today to set up your initial consultation.
