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Recalibrate Your Life With Our Indianapolis Gray Divorce Attorneys

Q: What Makes Gray Divorce Different?

Gray divorces involve unique factors that younger couples do not usually face. Health insurance becomes a significant concern, especially if one spouse relies on the other’s coverage. Inheritances and how to divide them can also be a point of contention. Many people in their 60s are responsible for their elderly parents, adding another layer of complexity. Pensions and Social Security payments are crucial considerations, as these are often key components of financial stability for older adults. Having an experienced gray divorce lawyer is essential to navigate these intricacies and protect your rights.

Q: Why Trust Us With Your Divorce?

We understand that gray divorce can seem overwhelming. Our Indianapolis divorce attorneys are committed to providing the support and guidance you need. We have extensive experience handling the complexities of gray divorce cases, including the division of pensions, Social Security benefits and health insurance concerns. We also work with military members, addressing the specific challenges related to military pensions and benefits. Our approach is professional yet compassionate, helping you make clear decisions in the face of emotional turmoil. We are here to help you recalibrate your life and move forward with confidence.

Close up photo of sad upset crying suffering from acute migraine old lady who is trying to calm down after noisy scandal with her spouse

Gray divorce refers to the separation of couples aged 50 and above. Divorce at this stage of life can be especially scary due to the heightened emotional factors involved. At Ruppert & Schaefer, P.C., in Indianapolis, our gray divorce lawyers provide clear, objective thinking in these highly emotional situations.

With over 100 combined years of experience, our attorneys understand the unique challenges faced by older adults during divorce. We often handle complex family law cases, including court trials, and use alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods when possible. Our lawyers are here to help you recalibrate your life during this difficult time.

Key Financial Considerations In Divorce Over Age 60

Older couples going through divorce rarely need to worry about things like child custody. However, gray divorces involve unique factors – often financial – that younger couples do not usually face. Some of the most pressing concerns in gray divorce are related to:

Spousal maintenance (alimony): This may be a crucial source of income for the lower-earning spouse. However, spousal support can be harder to obtain in Indiana and judges do not consider factors like the length of the marriage. Instead, they award alimony in cases where the recipient spouse is unable to work due to mental or physical incapacity. It may also be awarded if the recipient spouse is the primary caretaker for a mentally or physically incapacitated child. Although it wouldn’t be a consideration when awarding spousal maintenance, many people in their 60s are responsible for their elderly parents, adding another layer of complexity and financial worry.

Fair division of assets: While most states distinguish between separate and marital property, Indiana law considers nearly everything jointly owned and subject to division. This is one of several complicated aspects of Indiana property division that may arise in a gray divorce.

Health insurance: This is often a significant concern, especially if one spouse has long relied on the other’s coverage available through an employer.

Retirement assets: Pensions, retirement accounts and Social Security payments are crucial considerations, as these are often key components of financial stability for older adults.

Estate planning and inheritances: Clients in their 60s are at the age where it is common to receive family inheritances. If and how these get divided between divorcing couples can be a significant point of contention. It is also important to think about protecting loved ones through careful estate planning, particularly if it is a blended family with children from previous relationships.

Taxes: How assets are divided often has tax implications. These need to be considered carefully so that one spouse isn’t saddled with an undue tax burden.

Having an experienced Indianapolis divorce lawyer is essential to navigate these intricacies and protect your rights.

How To Handle The Emotional Impact Of Gray Divorce

After many years together, older couples often worry about the stress and conflict they assume divorce will bring. Thankfully, these can be minimized with the right approach and the help of the right lawyer. Our attorneys are highly experienced in utilizing various alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods to help clients peacefully and efficiently resolve any contested elements of their divorce. Methods such as mediation and collaborative law focus on direct negotiation, outside the courtroom and guided by legal professionals. These methods also tend to be far more cost-effective than litigation, allowing you to keep more of the assets you’ll need to retire comfortably and securely.

At Ruppert & Schaefer, P.C., we understand that gray divorce can seem overwhelming. Our Indianapolis divorce attorneys are committed to providing the support and guidance you need. We have extensive experience handling the complexities of gray divorce cases, including the division of pensions, Social Security benefits and health insurance concerns. We also work with military members, addressing the specific challenges related to military pensions and benefits.

No matter which divorce method you choose, our approach is professional yet compassionate, helping you make clear decisions in the face of emotional turmoil and listening to your needs. We are here to help you recalibrate your life and move forward with confidence.

Speak With A Gray Divorce Lawyer About How To Move Forward

Allow Ruppert & Schaefer, P.C., to guide you through the next chapter of your life. Contact us today at 317-660-8150 or send us an email to schedule a consultation and learn more about your options.