The United States already leads the world in divorce rates, with approximately 50 percent of marriages ending in divorce. Now baby boomers are divorcing at a much greater rate, accounting for one out of every four divorces in 2009, the last year for which data is available. That represents a 15 percent increase since 1990. Florida is particularly affected by the increase, as many people retire to the state.

Researchers have found that people who have already been divorced once are 2.5 times more likely to be divorced again than people in first-time marriages.

The reasons for the increase in divorce among older couples are not entirely clear, but researchers have speculated that they include greater social acceptance of divorce and greater financial independence among women.

Any divorce is difficult, but seniors have particular life circumstances that affect them differently than younger couples. For one thing, older people are often planning carefully for retirement and expecting to rely on two sets of assets and income. This type of planning often involves a balance of retirees’ own assets, including a 401(k), combined with Social Security benefits and health care savings from Medicare. When those resources are split instead of combined, and either or both spouses has reached the end of a working career, serious financial hardship can result.

Divorce can be one of the most trying emotional experiences, and it is important to be sure that both parties take a clear-headed approach to financial planning, including creating a budget that takes into account reduced funds. Of course, each party should have the counsel of an experienced family law attorney to be sure that assets are divided fairly.

When people have been married for a longer period, there are often more assets to divide in a divorce. This may include savings, real estate, stocks and other investments.

In the state of Florida, property in a divorce is assigned according to “equitable distribution,” which calls for assets to be divided proportionally. A divorce settlement can include alimony, which may be more appropriate in some cases than a lump sum payment.

In addition to the financial aspects, a qualified family law attorney can assist in the preparation and review of new legal documents such as wills, insurance policies and healthcare directives.

O. Reginald (“Reggie”) Osenton is the Owner and President of Osenton Law Offices, P.A. If you need a Brandon divorce lawyer, Tampa divorce lawyer, or Tampa divorce attorney, call 813.654.5777 or visit Brandonlawoffice.com.

If you find yourself getting emotional or stuck, it helps to get the support of your family and friends to keep you from being stalled. Read every part of the petition thoroughly and be sure to fully understand what it all means. Remember that the next chapter will be all about focusing on yourself and your kids, so do what it takes to muster the courage to face the reality of what is happening and not close yourself off to your kids and their needs.

Ignoring the petition will only leave you with more heartbreak and stress. It can create a default divorce, where you could also end up having your wages garnished for child or spousal support. And chances are high that you will not receive a notice of the final hearing date either if you do not respond.

The best advice after finding the right divorce attorney to represent you is to get your finances organized and game plan together. Get the records of assets, property deeds, and any mutual businesses so that you are aware of what your share is. It is also smart to review all credit cards and bank accounts that are in both names. In the event that your spouse is prone to go on a spending spree, you will want to remove their name from key accounts or cards. Dedicating some time to analyze your true monthly bills is also helpful. Many divorces lead to an individual needing to cut spending habits and building a fund worth of six month’s reserves for any future, unexpected events that might come up.

As hard as receiving a divorce petition is, you owe it to yourself to find a skilled divorce attorney to help you through all the steps. An attorney can assist you with effective legal advice to set the foundation for a better stage of your life. In Florida, Brandon family law attorney Joshua Law counsels individuals to achieve their divorce goals. As part of Osenton Law Offices, the firm stands by its commitment to high-quality client service and the latest in technology to help secure the best outcome in every divorce case. To learn more, call 813.654.5777 or visit http://www.brandonlawoffice.com/

O. Reginald (“Reggie”) Osenton is the Owner and President of Osenton Law Offices, P.A. If you need a Brandon family law attorney, Tampa family law attorney, or Brandon divorce attorney, call 813.654.5777 or visit Brandonlawoffice.com.