Divorce is complicated and traumatic at any age. But the problems compound the longer your marriage lasts. For people who divorce at age 50 or older, the dubbed “gray divorce,” the problems are even more complicated. You now need to divide assets and incomes while at the same time doubling expenses. Your opportunity to rejoin the workforce is limited and the lifestyle you were expecting to enjoy in your “golden years” now vanishes.
Many people overlook the need to get copies of all of your records. Do not finalize a divorce until you have copies of the retirement account statements, at least three years of tax returns, and any other relevant records. You will need these files to understand your financial position and to ensure that your ex-spouse doesn’t try to hide assets during the divorce.
It may feel uncomfortable, but you should film or take pictures of all of the objects in the home. Many ex-spouses try to hide assets purchased with marital income by removing them from the home. You will need evidence establishing that they were in the home. Also, don’t forget to make copies of all the hard drives so that you have access to records, documents, and photographs.
If you are going through a divorce, then you may want to call a lawyer for advice. As you can see, there are legal issues that are implicated at the end of a marriage and details that are easily overlooked in a divorce. You need to focus on long-term plans. A lawyer can guide you through the process, to protect your interests.
