Many groups in the United States have experienced a drop in divorce rates; however, the opposite is true for older Americans. According to the National Center for Health Statistics and the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of people divorcing after the age of 50 (known as gray divorce) has just about doubled since 1990. Gray divorce has become increasingly more common for a few different reasons. For example, divorce has lost much of the stigma it carried years ago, and people are living longer and not willing to stay in unfulfilling marriages.

Gray divorces often include a variety of unique financial considerations and legal issues that may not have the same importance for other divorcing couples. Some people may worry that they will not have enough money to retire when they originally planned to. Other people may be concerned with what happens to the assets that they have accumulated throughout their years of marriage. Understanding these issues and how to deal with them is the key to a successful gray divorce.

It is rather common for people to move after they divorce. Sometimes, they move due to a new job or promotion, other times they move to be closer to family. Whatever the reason, there are certain rules parents must follow when they wish to relocate with their child. Any parent who has been allocated the majority of or equal parenting time can seek to relocate with his or her child, but there are certain procedures that must be followed.

Factors for Relocation

The parent seeking to relocate must provide written notice at least 60 days before the relocation. If the child’s other parent agrees to the relocation, signs the notice, and files it with the clerk of the circuit court, then the relocation will be allowed.

While issues regarding children—including child custody, visitation, and child support—take precedence during the divorce process, financial matters also rank high on the list of importance. Among the primary concerns for many individuals is how much their divorce will cost. While the cost of divorce varies according to region and the services provided, we can assess the average divorce cost in the United States.

How Much Is Divorce?

The U.S. average cost for a divorce is approximately $15,000 per divorcing spouse. This includes all applicable lawyer fees, court costs, and the hiring of any necessary outside advisors, including real estate appraisers, child custody evaluators, and tax professionals. Your amount, however, could be substantially lower, based on a number of factors.

What Drives the Price of a Divorce?

Time plays a significant role in how much a divorce costs. While the average divorce takes between four and 11 months to complete, those that result in courtroom litigation can go more than a year, sometimes two. The more hours an attorney must put into your case, the more it will cost.

Divorce is nothing new in the United States. In fact, the first recorded divorce in the American colonies occurred in 1643, when Ann Clarke was granted a divorce from Dennis Clarke by the Quarter Court of Boston, Mass. 

Nearly four centuries and millions of divorces later, the divorce process can still take a significant emotional and physical toll on divorcing couples and their children. This is especially true in high-conflict divorces in which couples cannot reach agreements on their own and must go through divorce litigation.

You do not have to like your soon-to-be ex-spouse, but allowing your animosities to overflow to where it severely impacts your children can lead to issues that last a lifetime. Here are some preventative measures you can take to protect your children from the contentious nature of your impending divorce: