Hermosa Beach Senior Divorce Lawyer

Senior Divorce Attorney in Hermosa Beach, CA

Deciding to end a marriage later in life can present several unique complications. In Hermosa Beach, where the warm temperatures and ocean-side views attract many retirees, issues such as health insurance, retirement savings, and estate planning can add extra complexity to the already challenging legal proceedings involved in a divorce. If you are over the age of 50 and looking to get divorced, you need to hire a Hermosa Beach senior divorce lawyer to protect your rights.

Rombro & Manley LLP: Your Senior Divorce Attorneys

For decades, the team at Rombro & Manley LLP has been assisting individuals throughout Southern California with the complexities of family law cases. Senior divorce, or “gray divorce” as it is otherwise known, is a particularly difficult area of family law, and it is vital that you get the legal counsel and representation you deserve. At Rombro & Manley LLP, we are ready to review your senior divorce case and help you reach solutions that meet your needs.

Defining a Senior Divorce in Hermosa Beach

While divorce is becoming less and less common for younger couples, the rate of seniors seeking marriage dissolutions has roughly doubled over the last 30 years. Senior divorce, or gray divorce, is quite different from divorces involving couples of a younger age. In a senior divorce, children are usually grown and independent, meaning that there are considerations for child support or child custody, typically.

There are, however, serious issues that still need to be dealt with, especially when it comes to the couples’ intermingled finances. The common causes of gray divorce can vary, but some are more prevalent than others and affect older adults more consistently. These reasons include:

• Living longer. The average life expectancy has nearly doubled in the last 100 years, now standing at around 71 years. Sometimes, an older individual may realize that they have a lot of time left in their life and decide to no longer spend that time in an unhappy marriage.
• Retirement. Sometimes, a couple can see their golden years in different lights. One spouse may want to settle back and enjoy the comfort and peace that comes with aging and retirement, while the other spouse wants to live life to the fullest, traveling and spending time with others.
• Financial causes. An individual may delay a divorce until later in life when they feel more financially stable. The prospect of divorce can be frightening to a spouse who is more financially dependent on the other.
• Empty nesters. When a home is empty and children have left and gone out on their own, the couple may simply have nothing left in common. Other times, a couple might delay their divorce until their children are grown and out of the house.

Unique Issues Related to Senior Divorces

There are several issues unique to senior divorce cases in California. These include:

• Retirement. To retire, individuals have likely accumulated assets to support themselves, such as pension plans, stocks, and other retirement benefits. All these assets will likely be subject to a split in a divorce case.
• Social security. A dependent spouse, or a spouse who earns less than the other, may qualify to receive up to half of their spouse’s Social Security benefits, which does not affect the benefit to the working spouse. This issue will need to be sorted out during a divorce case.
• Insurance. Any health or life insurance plans will need to be considered in a gray divorce. Life insurance, particularly, will matter if one spouse requests alimony or spousal support.
• Estate planning. If you already have a will or trust in place, it is vital that you update it to reflect your divorce.

FAQs About Hermosa Beach Senior Divorce Laws

What is the Rate of Senior Divorce Nationwide?

Nationwide, the divorce rate for individuals 65 years of age or older was 15% in 2022. Many women are the ones to initiate these divorces, and it can be helpful, when you go to file, to know that you are not alone. Compared to days past, women no longer need to find fault in their spouses to file for divorce and simply do so for irreconcilable differences or due to an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage.

What do I do if I Believe My Spouse is Hiding Assets?

Nearly 40% of individuals admit to some form of financial infidelity. If you believe that your spouse is hiding assets in your senior divorce case, it is vital that you hire a Hermosa Beach senior divorce attorney and even a forensic accountant who can both comb through all the financial records of your case to ensure you are getting your fair share in a property division.

What is the Average Cost of a Divorce Attorney in California?

It can be difficult to offer an exact amount as to how much it may cost to hire a divorce attorney in California. This is due to the existence of several factors in these cases that may impact the final cost analysis. These factors include the duration and complexity of your case, the parties’ willingness to cooperate and reach amicable resolutions, and the skill level of your lawyer.

What is Considered Separate Property in a Divorce?

In a divorce in California, property division is one of the most contentious subjects, especially when the couple has been married for an extended period of time. In these circumstances, it is important to be aware of what counts as community property–or the property subject to division–and what property counts as separate. Separate property can include anything that was obtained prior to the start of your marriage or any gifts and inheritances given to one party.

Hire a Hermosa Beach Senior Divorce Lawyer Serving Hermosa Beach Today

Starting the divorce process later in life takes bravery. At Rombro & Manley LLP, we see this bravery and want to be there to support you every step of the way through your gray divorce. Our goal is to ensure you are met with the dedicated and personalized legal care you deserve and are here to protect your financial security as you plan for your future. Contact our Manhattan Beach offices to schedule an initial consultation and hire a senior divorce lawyer today.