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When An Injury Reshapes Marriage
One of the unfortunate facts of life is that we cannot see the future. Unforeseen circumstances happen. Life gets in the way. When this occurs, sometimes it is just best to end the marriage and walk away so that everyone can take care of themselves. As a personal injury lawyer can share, even the smallest of injuries can test the strongest of marriages — but a life-altering injury can also be marriage-ending.
Consequences of Serious Injury on Marriage
The moment an accident occurs, and an injury happens, things shift. The first significant change is one spouse may suddenly become caregiver of the other. This can be particularly difficult in a marriage where the injured spouse had been caring for the family and home while the now caretaker spouse is caregiver and breadwinner. This shift, constant visits to doctors, loss of mutuality, financial strain, mental health issues such as depression, and possible loss of intimacy can challenge a marriage. Friction, guilt, stress, and unresolved arguments can further fracture the relationship.
Divorces After Injury Increase Conflict
After injury, many couples divorce. While a divorce without prior injury can feel like a battlefield with one side against the other, a divorce with injury can increase anxiety, further financial strain and trigger feelings of abandonment. The intensity of emotions can result in very costly litigation.
Medical decisions — and costs — can further complicate the situation, as the personal injury firm Cohen & Cohen has reported with their injury clients. If you or a spouse has decided to part ways following an injury, a cooperative divorce can protect and preserve the mental, emotional, and financial health of both spouses, as well as other family members.
Cooperative Divorce Can Help
With the difficulties and costs of running a household, medical needs of the injured and their costs, and all the other obligations individuals have to others, the toll can be immeasurable. Having an informed professional such as Attorney Mediator Julie Ernst, with over 30 years’ experience assisting thousands of couples divorce in a less adversarial way, is especially important if you or your spouse is injured. Preserving extended family relationships, dignity of both spouses and financial resources is possible.
Above content by Cohen & Cohen
Divorce Among The Elderly
Divorce rates among the elderly, sometimes referred to as "gray divorce," have been on the rise in recent years. This trend, characterized by couples aged 50 and older deciding to end their marriages, presents unique challenges and considerations. Our friends at Cohen & Cohen discuss the reasons behind this phenomenon and the implications it holds for those going through it.
Changing Societal Norms
One of the primary reasons for the increase in gray divorce is changing societal norms. In previous generations, marriage was more often seen as a lifelong commitment, regardless of personal happiness or fulfillment. However, today's older individuals are part of a generation that experienced significant social changes, including the women entering the workplace and shifting attitudes towards marriage and divorce. These changes have led to a greater willingness to seek personal happiness, including ending an unhappy long-term marriage. Younger generations are also ending marriages or opting not to marry as a way to seek personal happiness.
Longevity And Health
Improvements in healthcare and increased life expectancy contribute to the rise in gray divorce. As people live longer, they may find themselves spending several decades in retirement, a period that can bring about significant changes in personal needs and desires. Some couples grow apart as they age, finding that their interests and goals no longer align. The prospect of spending 20 or more years in an unfulfilling marriage leads some individuals to consider divorce.
Financial Independence
Financial independence, particularly among women, has played a crucial role in the increase of gray divorces. Many older women have careers and their own financial stability, making depending on a spouse financially a non issue. Whereas once women needed to be married in order to have a meaningful part in society, women now make decisions based on their personal happiness rather than financial necessity. Additionally, the accumulation of their own retirement savings and assets may result in a better financial situation after divorce.
Impact On Retirement Plans
Divorce at any age can have significant financial implications, but for older generations, these impacts can be particularly profound. Retirement plans and savings, which were intended to support a couple, must now be divided. In some cases this leads to financial strain and necessitates adjustments to retirement lifestyles. Working with a compassionate lawyer who understands the complexities of dividing assets and retirement benefits in a manner that protects the interests of both parties can make a huge difference in how your divorce case proceeds.
Emotional And Social Considerations
The emotional impact of divorce can be substantial at any age, but for older individuals, it may be especially challenging. After spending decades together, the end of a marriage can lead to feelings of loss, loneliness, and uncertainty about the future. Social networks may be affected, as friends and family may feel divided or uncertain about how to support both individuals. It's important for anyone going through divorce that is struggling to seek emotional support from friends, family, or professional counselors to help manage this difficult transition.
Legal Considerations
There are specific legal considerations that come into play with gray divorces. Issues such as alimony, division of retirement accounts, and healthcare benefits must be carefully addressed. Health insurance, in particular, can become a critical issue, as older individuals may have planned to rely on their spouse's insurance coverage. Ensuring that healthcare needs are met after divorce requires careful planning and legal guidance.
Benefits of Mediation
Mediation can be an effective tool in gray divorce cases. It allows couples to work through their issues with the help of a neutral third party, leading to mutually agreeable solutions. Mediation is often less adversarial and more cost-effective than traditional litigation, and can help preserve family relationships as well as financial resources.
Divorce among older individuals can be a complex and emotionally charged issue that requires careful consideration of many factors. By understanding the unique challenges of gray divorce, individuals are helped to make informed decisions that help them move forward into a new chapter of their lives. If you are interested in pursuing a divorce, contact a lawyer near you to get started.
Above content by Cohen & Cohen