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Divorce for Long-Term Marriages

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Divorce for Long-Term Marriages

Our Flat Fee Divorce Rates

$1,800

Uncontested Divorce No Children

Starting At$1,995

Uncontested Divorce With Children

Divorce Lawyer for Long-Term Marriages in Illinois

Addressing the Challenges of Divorce After Decades

Ending a long-term marriage is a profound life change, interrupting decades of shared history, finances, and family life. The legal process for these divorces, often called “gray divorce,” carries unique considerations that require experienced and compassionate legal guidance. The interwoven nature of your lives means that separating them involves more than just a legal filing; it requires a careful and respectful approach to protect your future.

At Reifman Law Offices, we understand the distinct challenges that can arise when a long-term marriage is ended. We are committed to providing the legal support you need to approach this transition with dignity and confidence, ensuring your financial stability and well-being as you begin your next chapter.

More Complex Property Division

After many years of marriage, assets are often deeply intertwined, and determining what is now marital and separate property can be challenging. In gray divorces, this process requires a meticulous review of assets that have grown and changed over decades, including significant ones such as:

  • Retirement Accounts: Pensions and 401(k)s are often among the most significant marital assets in a long-term marriage. Dividing such accounts requires the proper drafting of a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO), which allows for the tax-free transfer of funds from one spouse’s retirement plan to the other.
  • The Marital Home: The family home often holds both financial and sentimental value. Decisions about whether to sell the home or arrange for one spouse to buy out the other must be handled with great care.
  • Investments and Businesses: Long-term investments, stock portfolios, and family-owned businesses accumulated during the marriage are subject to equitable division and must be carefully addressed for fair distribution.

A Greater Role for Spousal Support

In long-term marriages, it can be common for one spouse to have been the primary earner while the other focused on managing the household and raising children. Illinois courts may award spousal maintenance to address the resulting financial disparity in divorce. In the cases of marriages lasting 20 years or more, a judge has the discretion to award permanent maintenance or maintenance for a period equal to the length of the marriage. The goal is to provide sufficient support for both spouses to maintain a standard of living similar to what was enjoyed during the marriage.

The Heavy Emotional Transition

The emotional impact of ending a long-term marriage is significant. You are not just separating from a spouse; you are redefining your identity and reshaping your family dynamics. Adult children, and even grandchildren, will be affected, and navigating these relationships will require patience and support. It is important to acknowledge the grief and uncertainty that can accompany this change while building a support system to help you move forward. We are here to help you handle these sensitive matters with the empathy and respect you deserve.

A Schaumburg Divorce Lawyer for Long-Term Marriages Can Assist You

Divorcing after a long-term marriage presents unique legal and emotional hurdles, and you will need a legal partner who understands the nuances of Illinois divorce law and appreciates the difficult emotions of your situation. Contact Reifman Law Offices today or call 847-229-8433 to schedule a free, confidential consultation. We guide clients in these and other legal matters throughout Schaumburg, West Dundee, Arlington Heights, Rolling Meadows, Palatine, Streamwood, Hoffman Estates, and other communities.

At Reifman Law Offices,

we will take the weight of dealing with family legal issues off of your shoulders.
Call Us 847-229-8433

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Arkady Reifman

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