When couples in New York contemplate getting divorced, they may naturally wonder whether getting divorced after a decade of marriage or waiting until the two-decade mark may make the most sense. The reality is that divorce presents unique challenges for couples at various stages of marriage. Here is a rundown on the major considerations for divorcing individuals to keep in mind when they are splitting up after 10, 20 or 30 years together.
Divorce challenges for those married for one, two or three decades
When two people decide to divorce after being married for 10 years, child custody matters will likely be their biggest concern. In this situation, it is wise for the two parents to work on crafting a parenting agreement that works for the entire family. For instance, they should ideally take into consideration what the children’s and parents’ daily schedules will be like, as well as how vacations will be handled.
For two people who decide to divorce after 20 years together, their main focus will likely be on the children, too, if they have children together. However, rather than focusing on custody matters, they may pay more attention to the financial wellbeing of their children — for instance, how to cover their college costs and living expenses. On the contrary, spouses who divorce at 30 years will probably focus more on how to divide their retirement assets. They may also need to decide whether to postpone their retirement to rebuild their retirement funds following their divorce.
How an attorney can help
Whether two divorcing individuals have been married for a few years or a few decades, an experienced attorney can provide the guidance needed to tackle divorce issues such as child custody, child support and property division. Spousal support can also be negotiated during informal negotiations or divorce mediation. An attorney will ultimately help his or her client to pursue a comprehensive and fair settlement with the other party, all while keeping the client’s rights and best interests at the forefront of the divorce proceeding.