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Divorce is A Shit Sandwich

(Because it is, right?!)

Are you in the midst of a Gray Divorce? What does that term even mean?

According to the Pew Research Center, the rate of divorce for people 50 and older, often referred to as “gray divorce,” has nearly doubled since the 1990s.

And while divorce presents challenges for people of any age, you may have a different set of priorities if you are starting the process at 50+, including:

  • A sooner retirement
  • Alimony/support for someone who may have a difficult time going back into the workforce, or who may not be planning to work again
  • Different healthcare considerations

And of course, the emotional toll of divorce is significant for everyone, including adult children and family members.

Check out the blog post for details on the specific issues and opportunities presented by this increasingly common situation.

Do you have a tough question? Ask away. I’ll find the right experts to weigh in and make sure you’re getting the input you need.

Question:
I am 55 and I’ve been unhappy in my marriage for many years. I’ve read a lot about “gray divorce” and I’m scared but still want to move forward. What should I do first?

Answer:

Like any divorce, preparation and knowledge are the best things you can do to start the process. Your priorities may be different than someone going through divorce at 40 years old, but the information you still need is the same.

Download my free First Steps Checklist for a list of 10 things you don’t want to overlook. I also highly recommend you consult with an attorney and potentially a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst in order to gather the information you need to make the best decisions for your future.

Here I’ll share some of the books, websites, podcasts and experts to help make your journey a little less shitty!

Here are a few resources specific to gray divorce:

The Gray Divorce Podcast with Andrew Hatherley (Spotify)

Gray Divorce: Questions Answered: the Harris Law Firm webinar

People Who Got A “Gray Divorce” Are Sharing Why And What Happened After: Buzzfeed article

This excellent Forbes article focuses on financial planning for divorce in general and much of what it outlines is very useful for a gray divorce.

I am a corporate communications VP turned Certified Divorce Coach, and I created the Better Than Before Divorce™️  program for those early in the divorce process who want to reduce the impact of divorce on themselves and their children, minimize conflict and come out BETTER on the other side. Throughout my career I have worked to help executives, teams and individuals communicate succinctly, with clarity, intention, and impact, and I love using these skills to provide support and confidence to women and men tangled in the web of divorce.

My Better Than Before Divorce™️ clients benefit from my 25+ years of experience in crisis communications, branding and marketing, as well as my calm strength and commitment to tangible results. I am also a trained mediator, I’ve completed Colorado’s Collaborative Divorce Level I and II trainings, and I have a bachelor’s degree in psychology and an M.S. in Organizational Dynamics from the University of Pennsylvania.

I hope you found this information useful. Please share your feedback HERE anytime, and visit the rest my website, betterthanbeforedivorce.com, for more information on private coaching, or the Better Than Before Divorceonline course.