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What You Need To Know About Starting Over After Divorce At 50

November 06, 2021
Divorce
an old man looking away from the camera with his hands together

Am I too old to find love again? WIll I die alone? Do I have enough for retirement? Divorce at any age is likely to leave you feeling emotionally and/or financially insecure, but starting over after divorce at 50 can feel downright scary. 

So where do you begin your ​​life after divorce over 50? What do you need to know about starting over? This guide will give you helpful tips and advice about midlife divorce recovery. 

Tips For A Midlife Divorce

Working with people going through a divorce for more than 25 years, I have seen it all. Divorce strategy is about balancing emotion, money, and wellness at every phase of life.  When handled with care, divorce can be your opportunity to start feeling better and like you are truly living in your own skin.

Here are some tips to help you through midlife divorce

1. Organize Your Finances

When it comes to creating financial wellness, there’s no time like the present.  Get yourself a financial organizer and sit with a calm, practical friend or financial organizer to help you get started.  In many cases a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst is a great way to get you on track.

2. Be Sure To Get Full Disclosure

If you waive your rights to monies today, it will be harder for you to make up for the lost savings as compared to when you were younger.  Do not make the mistake of assuming it will all work out.  Do the hard work now, make your future easier.  Do not be afraid to file in court if necessary to get all the financial documents that you need to move forward with a healthy financial plan after divorce.

3. Consult with a lawyer before filing

Even if you decide to mediate, having a consulting attorney by your side as you work down the path to resolution is key to making the long-term agreement that will last.  If you wait to consult with someone after you have signed on the dotted line, it may be too late to change things.

4. Gather your trusted people, and be open to new ones

When you are in mid-life and divorcing, some of your life-long friendships may feel vulnerable.  Be open to new supportive relationships while other important people in your life adjust to your new divorced status. Join support groups, reach out in your favorite online community!

5.

If you find yourself in court due to an unreasonable spouse, give yourself permission to be wholly grounded in the process, always showing up as your best self.  Slowest is fastest and hard now will make it easy later.  You can still become Better Apart even if you have to litigate!

What You Need To Know About Starting Over After Divorce At 50


Starting Over After Divorce At 50 

The grieving process cannot be skipped.  Do something beneficial for yourself each and every day to move yourself forward both through your emotional process as well as through the rigors of the separation process. 

Divorce is still one of the most painful experiences in life. According to the AARP divorce in midlife is initiated by women ⅔ of the time. Take your time to heal. 

Divorce is an opportunity for release, recalibration and reset. And of course, there are some advantages to divorce in midlife. You may not have to deal with custody and it’s likely that you’re more financially stable. But even more exciting,you are likely to have more confidence than you did when you were younger.  Remember that you have all the power in the world to feel better and to create your own fabulous future beyond your divorce. 

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