Today, the divorce rate in America is on a steady decline. In large part, this decline is due to the fact that many young Americans are not pursuing divorce. However, among elderly Americans, the divorce rate has been rising over the past few decades. According to the Pew Research Center, divorce has doubled among Americans over the age of 50 since 1990. If you believe that a gray divorce is the right choice for you, it is time to speak with an attorney you can trust. 

Important Aspects of Your Divorce 

When divorcing as an older American, it is especially important to ensure that your financial future will remain intact. Below are a few of the most important criteria to consider as you navigate the divorce process:

• Your Retirement Plan: As your divorce is finalized, one of the most important aspects you and your legal team need to focus on is how your retirement accounts and/or pensions will be affected. Your retirement benefits and finances may be at jeopardy during your divorce, so you will want to take steps to ensure that you will have the financial resources you need when it is time to retire.
• Collegiate Financial Support: For many older Americans pursuing a divorce, there are teenage children involved. While child support responsibilities typically cease when a child turns 18, securing support for a non-minor can be critical for assisting your child through their college years. With the help of a quality legal team, a judge may order support for college expenses. Having access to advanced education can be monumental in ensuring a healthy long-term financial future for your children. 
• Planning Ahead: Pursuing a divorce as an older adult can be a truly frightening experience. By speaking with your attorney about the issues that are most important to you, you can be sure to understand your options and work to devise a plan and expedite the divorce process. A divorce can be a great opportunity to start a new life, but the proper planning and strategy is essential. 

Contact a Wheaton Gray Divorce Attorney

At The Stogsdill Law Firm, P.C., our team fully understands how emotionally turbulent the divorce process can be. Divorces can be especially complicated when separating from a partner of multiple decades. As you cope with the emotions of your separation, our legal team is here to help you with all other aspects of your divorce. With decades of experience representing clients in a wide variety of divorce cases, we are confident in our ability to help you secure the vibrant and stable financial future you deserve. To set up a consultation with a DuPage County divorce lawyer, call our office at 630-462-9500. 

Every year, thousands of Americans choose to file for divorce. In many cases, the couples elect to separate amicably, and they may believe that their divorce will be a seamless transition into independent life. Some people are so confident in the mutual nature of the separation that they elect to represent themselves throughout the divorce process. This process is known as pro se divorce litigation. 

People may decide to navigate the divorce process without the guidance of a legal professional for a number of different reasons. The couple may believe they can separate peacefully, there may be no children or substantial assets involved, or a person may not believe they can afford an attorney. Regardless of the rationale behind the decision to pursue pro se divorce litigation, the consequences of self-representation can be crippling to your future. If you are seeking a divorce, your best option is to speak with a qualified attorney as soon as possible.

The Benefits of a Legal Professional 

Although many couples believe that they can complete their divorce in a peaceful and mutually beneficial manner, in all reality, almost every single divorce process comes with unforeseen complications and obstacles. Listed below are just a few of the reasons why hiring a divorce attorney can save you from difficulties down the road:

A recent scientific study concluded that the divorce rate has been steadily rising over the past four decades. The study, which was published by a pair of sociologists at the University of California at Irvine, analyzed divorce statistics from 1970 to 2008 in countries from around the world, including India, Russia, and a number of Scandinavian nations, and it found that the divorce rate in most countries is primarily dictated by economic and religious factors. With more and more couples around the globe considering a separation, it is fascinating to look at the factors that are contributing to the steady rise in divorce. 

Primary Factors in Divorce Trends 

After conducting the four-decade study on divorce rates within 83 different countries, the results were clear: the divorce rate is rising in countries with increased economic development. This may be attributed to a variety of reasons, including:

• Women in the Workforce: In the vast majority of countries with high divorce rates, the study concluded that these nations had generally high numbers of women in the workforce. Having the ability to maintain a full-time job and financially support themselves provides women with the freedom to leave a toxic or unhealthy relationship. Unfortunately, many people elect to stay in loveless marriages due to the financial insecurity of independent life. 
• Higher Gross Incomes and Education Rates: After conducting their research, the two UCI sociologists were interested to find that the countries with higher divorce rates have higher gross incomes and generally higher education rates. The divorce process can be a costly procedure, and it is clear to see that there is a correlation between higher average incomes and higher divorce rates. It is also interesting to note that the nations with high divorce rates have many people attend some form of secondary education. 
• Lessening Religious Pressure: Another fascinating aspect of the study was the role that religion seems to play in divorce rates. In countries in which a large portion of the population practices Catholicism, such as Italy, the divorce rate was consistently low. It is also notable that predominantly Muslim countries had relatively low rates of divorce. However, the pressures to stay in an unhealthy relationship can come with some unfortunate ramifications, so couples should be aware of their options for ending their marriage.  

Contact a Wheaton Family Law Attorney 

At the Stogsdill Law Firm, P.C., our legal team is experienced in helping clients navigate the divorce process. A divorce can represent a new opportunity for independence and happiness, but divorces can also be incredibly complicated and emotionally difficult. After decades of operation within the state of Illinois, our team is confident in our ability to assist you with issues such as child custody, property division, and other aspects of your divorce settlement. To schedule a meeting with a knowledgeable DuPage County divorce attorney, call us today at 630-462-9500. 

When navigating a standard divorce process, both parties must understand that their actions will be under extreme scrutiny. Your life habits, occupation, and living situation will all play a part in how a judge makes decisions on various issues regarding the separation. In any family law case, a criminal charge can have a monumental impact on the manner in which the judge will rule. If you have been accused of a crime during your divorce, it is crucial to notify your attorney as soon as possible.

Crimes During Divorce

The divorce process can be an incredibly stressful time for all parties involved. With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that many people commit a criminal offense during their divorce. Listed below are the most commonly committed crimes that can severely impact a family law case:

Driving Under the Influence (DUI): Although turning to drugs or alcohol during stressful times usually tends to be a bad idea, many people increase their alcohol intake during their divorce. Here in the state of Illinois, a DUI charge can lead to extensive fines, loss of driving privileges, and even potential jail time.

For the thousands of Americans that elect to pursue a divorce each year, separating from a former-spouse can be an incredibly positive life-changing decision. However, parties must be prepared to live independently once the divorce process is finalized. Financial independence is, arguably, one of the more difficult aspects to master, post-divorce. As such, it is critical that parties start to prepare for financial independence as soon as possible. One of the best places to start is to consult with a seasoned divorce lawyer about the health of your finances, and how the divorce could impact it, moving forward.

Steps to Securing Financial Stability

Once your divorce has been finalized, you need to act quickly to ensure long-term financial security. A quality attorney can help you develop an action plan, and begin working towards financial independence.

Develop a New Budget: After your divorce, it is important to recognize that you are no longer able to count on the income of your former spouse. The development of an independent budget can help you make decisions about what kind of housing options you can afford, what extracurricular activities your children can participate in, and whether or not you need to make various changes to your lifestyle. Budgeting for your new lifestyle can be a laborious task, but it can also save you from an unsustainable financial future.