Gray divorce, or divorce among people 50 years of age and older, is on the rise for several reasons. For starters, marital breakups are more acceptable socially today than in past decades. In addition, people are simply living longer. Here are a couple of tips to help those in New York make a gray divorce as peaceful and productive as possible.
Avoid getting the children involved
Older individuals who are getting divorced may want to avoid turning to their children to support them or defend their positions. This can put adult children in a tough situation emotionally, particularly if they want to maintain healthy relationships with both parents. Instead, parents who are going through a gray divorce should ideally encourage their children to stay neutral in their dealings with their parents, showing empathy and compassion to both of them.
Promote open communication
Individuals who are navigating gray divorce might also benefit from calling a meeting with their family members to discuss aspects of their divorce that are relevant to them. For instance, they can use the meeting to talk about how they will handle their inheritance and expenses. The meeting also provides adult children with the opportunity to voice any concerns they may have about how the divorce will affect the family dynamic moving forward.
Get professional help and support
Divorce can be emotional and challenging at any age. An experienced New York family law attorney can help a divorcing individual to make educated decisions regarding matters like the division of property and spousal maintenance. A savvy attorney will push for a fair settlement that reflects his or her client’s wishes and future best interests given the unique circumstances surrounding the marital breakup.