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