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How Does A Gray Divorce Affect the Family?

Divorcing over the age of 50, often referred to as gray divorce, can be extremely difficult to wade through for many reasons.

Often in a court litigated traditional divorce, family members get pitted against each other. The long-term emotional fallout can be devastating to everyone involved and for generations to come.

Gray divorces come through marriages that have many decades of marriage under their belt and adult children and grandchildren in their family unit.

Adult children often feel blindsided because they never felt their parents would divorce after their years together. It can be a gut-wrenching experience for adult family members and can significantly strain family relationships, no matter the age.

Here are some suggestions we like to share with our clients who have adult children or grandchildren:

  • Their feelings are real and should be heard
  • Adult children may feel grief
  • Family relationships are often from the cradle to the grave – divorce can be a strain on this
  • Don’t use adult children or grandchildren as pawns
  • Grandchildren, no matter the age, need to be heard – their thoughts and emotions are valid – especially when they are young- it’s hard for them to compartmentalize how the family unit will function in this new way

Getting a gray divorce can affect your family for generations to come in ways we can’t imagine. But when the emotional wellbeing of all involved is considered as the divorce agreement is drafted, the path forward will be much brighter and stable. A collaborative divorce team can help everyone in the family unit work through the emotional whirlwind with the help of mental health experts.

A Better DivorceTM is an interdisciplinary group of professionals committed to non-court, non-confrontational solutions for family law matters.

We will provide you with access to qualified professionals who can help you determine if the collaborative divorce process is right for you and your family. Contact us today!

Note: This information is general in nature and should not be construed as legal/financial/tax/or mental health advice. You should work with your attorney, financial, mental health or tax professional to determine what will work best for your situation.

Posted in Collaborative Divorce, Divorce.