While the overall divorce rate in the US has declined, gray divorce is on the rise. In fact, among adults over 50, the divorce rate has doubled in the last 30 years! Why are older Americans divorcing at such a dramatic rate? And what does it mean for their finances?
Lisa Decker is a nationally recognized expert in the financial matters of divorce. A Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and Real Estate Collaboration Specialist in Divorce, she offers flat-fee divorce financial planning services to clients across the country via coaching, consulting and full analysis options. Lisa is also the creator of several innovative online resources, including Divorce Money Matters and Divorce Town USA, and she has been featured in Money Magazine, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, among many other national media publications.
On this episode of Divorce Dialogues, Lisa joins Katherine to explain why the divorce rate is highest among couples over the age of 50 and discuss the consequences of gray divorce. She explores why the financial impact can be greater for older divorcing couples, introducing us to the idea of financial infidelity and sharing real-life examples from her practice. Listen in for Lisa’s insight on the costliest mistakes divorcing couples make (and how to avoid them!) and learn to be a proactive partner when it comes to matters of your health and wealth.
Topics Covered
Why the divorce rate is highest among couples over the age of 50
The harmful health and financial consequences of gray divorce
What kind of behavior rises to the level of financial infidelity
The level of secrecy that distinguishes financial infidelity from other tensions around money in a relationship
Why the financial impact is often greater in the case of gray divorce
Why second and third marriages are more likely to end in divorce
Lisa’s insight around costly divorce mistakes (and how to avoid them)
Lisa’s challenge to be a proactive partner in all matters of your health and wealth
Why you should start gathering your financial documents before you file for divorce
Building a team that includes an attorney, divorce financial planner and therapist or coach
Connect with Lisa Decker
Divorce Money Matters: https://www.divorcemoneymatters.com/
Divorce Town USA: https://www.divorcetownusa.com/
Connect with Katherine Miller
The Center for Understanding Conflict: http://understandinginconflict.org/
Miller Law Group: https://westchesterfamilylaw.com/
Katherine on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kemiller1
The New Yorker’s Guide to Collaborative Divorce by Katherine Miller: https://www.amazon.com/New-Yorkers-Guide-Collaborative-Divorce/dp/0692496246
Email: [email protected]
Call (914) 738-7765
Resources
Bowling Green State University’s Research on Gray Divorce: https://www.divorcetownusa.com/
National Center for Family and Marriage Research: https://aspe.hhs.gov/national-center-family-and-marriage-research-current-opportunities
Amicable Divorce Network: https://www.divorcetownusa.com/service-providers/amicable-divorce-network
