By Steve Bardol on April 7th, 2015 in blog
“Will you take this person to be your spouse, to love them, comfort them, honor and keep them, and forsaking all others, keep you only unto them, for so long as you both shall live?”
You say, “I do,” and when you do, you expect your life to be a certain way. But even some of the best-laid plans can change, though, and divorce is a common life change for couples throughout St. Louis County.
As a family law attorney in St. Louis, I know that divorce can happen at any age. I’ve worked with people of all ages, but they all have the same concern–how do I protect myself during my divorce? Different challenges come along with each stage of life. Depending on your situation, you’ll need to protect yourself from different things during your divorce.
Read below to learn about the varying concerns you may encounter if and when you divorce during the described age ranges.
Divorce Age 20 to 30
You were young and in love, so you decided to get married. And while the marriage age seems to be on the rise, that doesn’t stop many couples like you from tying the knot before the age of thirty. However, as you grew out of your teenage years you discovered that you and your spouse weren’t necessarily growing up together; you were actually growing apart. With different career aspirations and varying goals, you find yourselves unable to come to compromises about the most simple life decisions. Fight after fight, quarrel after quarrel, you both come to the conclusion that this isn’t working. Divorce seems to be the reasonable step.
Regardless of age, divorce will change your daily life, but when you divorce at a young age the financial implications can be much greater. You may not have children yet or other major responsibilities, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have things to worry about. Perhaps you and your spouse were living together in an apartment you could only afford due to the combination of your two incomes. You’re still paying off student loans and you’ve grown accustomed to the lifestyle you’re living. Very rarely are we completely financially independent at that young of an age. But now your lifestyle is changing. All of a sudden, you’re living in an apartment in downtown St. Louis that you can’t afford. You used to split the utility bills–they’ve never seemed this large before. Car payments, rent, grocery bills–it is so daunting to think of paying all of those on your own. You’re getting a divorce, but you want to maintain control of your finances.
As a St. Louis divorce attorney at Bardol Law Firm, LLC, I work with young individuals just like you. As much as you know this divorce is the right decision, that doesn’t stop your fears of your financial future. We can work together and figure out a way to find you stability. You may have heard about spousal support–depending on your situation this may be an option. The important thing is that we are having these conversations. And the sooner we have these conversations about your divorce in St. Louis, the better.
Divorce Age 30 to 50
When you’ve been married for a while, you settle into a rhythm. You have a set schedule; you know who picks up the kids, when and where. One of you is in charge of paying the taxes. The other takes control of the monthly bills. Day by day, week-by-week, you have your schedule down pat. But despite the rhythm, the schedule, and the longevity of a marriage, divorce frequently happens to middle-aged couples, and that’s okay. You grow apart and have different ideas about where you want to take your life–it is normal. Regardless of whether or not there was infidelity or another factor involved, the most important thing to think about as you get a divorce is yourself and your children, if you have any.
You might not care about the house, the car, the dusty wedding gifts–you care about whether or not you’ll be able to have child custody and be able to financially support them. When there are children involved in your divorce, this is likely your biggest concern. As a divorce attorney, it is my concern too, but I also want to make sure to provide stability to you in other ways as well.
As your St. Louis family law attorney, I’ll stand by your side and fight for the things that matter most to you, whether it is the family home you built or the children you raised. Your interests are mine–don’t forget that. It is all about knowing what is right for you and your family, and you may not know that right at the get go.
Will my relationship with my kids change? What is the right custody agreement for my family–should I have full custody?
We will prepare for proceedings based on what you want, whether the proceedings are in St. Louis court or in mediation at my local family law office. Contact Bardol Law Firm, LLC, and we’ll figure this out. Learn more about how I help people in St. Louis figure out child custody and support during a divorce.
Divorce Age 50+
You may have read in one of our blogs about how couples are divorcing more and more at a later age. Maybe the kids are out of the house, no longer as big of a concern, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other things to think about as you make your split.
Have you and your spouse made an estate plan? Have you maintained a job–can you support yourself? You’ve been living in a house with one another. Is that still a property that either one of you can manage by yourself? Do you need or want to move somewhere else in Missouri.
These are only some of the questions you’ll want to ask yourself as you begin the divorce process. As your St. Louis divorce attorney, I will be there with you to help you consider all of these things. I’ll refer you to estate planning attorneys and make sure all of your affairs are in order.
These discussions do not come easy. We encourage you to reach out to attorneys that care. I will work hard with you and do my best to ensure that your assets are divided evenly and you’re receiving your fair share.
Each age comes with different challenges. It’s important to do what feels right for you. In the case that divorce does occur reach out to a lawyer that has your interests at heart. You want someone to defend you that understand you. Divorce is not easy; it’s stressful, dramatic, and emotionally distressing, but you shouldn’t have to go through it alone. At Bardol Law Firm, LLC we can help you understand the best options for divorce, child custody, adoption and more. Life is a long, ever-changing ride, but no matter what stage of life you’re in, we can help. Please reach out to schedule a free consultation today.
