Tremendously helpful, responsibly aggressive in an advisory capacity. Fortunate to have been referred to Kathleen.
Gray divorce is another term for divorce later in life. Typically, this includes people divorcing at age 50 or older. The gray divorce rate in America has been rising since the 1990s, as the divorce rate for all other age groups has been falling.
The divorce attorneys of Ellis Family Law, P.L.L.C., proudly represent North Carolina individuals divorcing later in life. Our entire team has decades of combined experience and is uniquely situated to assist those facing complex divorces. With offices in Durham, Raleigh, Cary, Pittsboro and Wake Forest, we represent those throughout the Triangle area.
As gray divorces happen later in life, most couples will not need to consider child custody or child support – two areas of high contention in other cases. With these divorces, any children involved may not be adults and out of the house.
However, getting divorced close to retirement age will likely introduce unique financial challenges. Key factors to consider with gray divorce may include:
Typically, couples divorcing later in life have accumulated more assets, making property and asset division high stakes. How to divide retirement accounts and pension plans will likely be the biggest challenge. A qualified domestic relations order (QDRO) can detail how to divide retirement plan assets fairly between spouses.
Another consideration for those divorcing will be how to adjust their retirement plans. Divorce may set back retirement plans for a few years or if an individual has already retired, they may require financial guidance on adjusting their lifestyle to fit their new financial reality.
Gray divorce numbers have been climbing for years and today, divorce is much more common for baby boomers compared to other generations. Many factors contribute to this trend but one main reason for this is that the negative stigma previous generations held about divorce has largely been erased over time. On top of that, many married couples prioritized raising children together. As such, becoming empty nesters is a common cause of divorce filings.
Tremendously helpful, responsibly aggressive in an advisory capacity. Fortunate to have been referred to Kathleen.
...Tremendously helpful, responsibly aggressive in an advisory capacity. Fortunate to have been referred to Kathleen.
Kathleen and her team are excellent. She is straightforward, professional, and gives honest advice, even when it isn’t what you want to hear. She focuses on your best interests and...
Kathleen and her team are excellent. She is straightforward, professional, and gives honest advice, even when it isn’t what you want to hear. She focuses on your best interests and helps you work through a difficult process. I appreciate her guidance and the team’s support. Highly recommend.
Dear Shannon Tucker and Ellis Family Law, I truly cannot say enough good things about Shannon and her team. Going through a custody battle involving my son was one of...
Dear Shannon Tucker and Ellis Family Law,
I truly cannot say enough good things about Shannon and her team. Going through a custody battle involving my son was one of the most stressful and emotional situations I’ve ever faced, and having Shannon in my corner gave me an incredible amount of peace of mind.
From the beginning, I trusted her completely. Even with an incredibly short notice with my request for help, Shannon handled every aspect of my case tactfully, professionally, and with genuine care. She was an incredible negotiator, always made sure I understood what was happening and when/why it was happening, and most importantly, made sure I felt comfortable with every decision along the way.
In a situation that naturally comes with so much stress and uncertainty, Shannon took a tremendous amount of that weight off my shoulders. I knew she was fighting for what mattered most to me and that I could trust her judgment every step of the way.
Calling her a lifesaver honestly feels like an understatement. I will always be grateful for what Shannon did for me and my family. If you are looking for an attorney who is professional, compassionate, trustworthy, and someone you genuinely want in your corner, I cannot recommend Shannon and Ellis Family Law highly enough.
Five stars without hesitation, thank you so much!
I had a civil matter that two attorneys from different firms had handled very poorly. I engaged the services of Kathleen Murphy at Ellis and she did an exceptional job!...
I had a civil matter that two attorneys from different firms had handled very poorly. I engaged the services of Kathleen Murphy at Ellis and she did an exceptional job! My only regret is I didn’t meet her years ago
I was able to enjoy the professional and capable hands of a superior attorney. She made an ugly situation bearable. She was able to get things for me in negotiations...
I was able to enjoy the professional and capable hands of a superior attorney. She made an ugly situation bearable. She was able to get things for me in negotiations that I’d only hoped for. I couldn’t be happier with the results of my divorce.
I cannot say enough good things about this law firm and the support I have received from Kathleen and her team. Going through a difficult and emotional family law matter...
I cannot say enough good things about this law firm and the support I have received from Kathleen and her team. Going through a difficult and emotional family law matter can be incredibly overwhelming, but having an attorney who is knowledgeable, responsive, honest, and truly listens has made such a difference.
Kathleen has taken the time to understand my situation, answer my questions, explain my options, and help me navigate decisions that I never expected to have to make. I have always felt that my concerns were taken seriously and that I had someone in my corner advocating for me while still giving me realistic and straightforward advice.
The entire office has been professional, compassionate, and helpful throughout the process. When you’re dealing with something that affects your children, your family, and your future, having confidence in the people representing you means everything.
I am extremely grateful for Kathleen and her team and would highly recommend this office to anyone looking for knowledgeable and compassionate representation in a family law matter.
We are equally skilled in litigation and in resolving disputes outside of court.
Mediation, arbitration, and collaborative approaches that resolve disputes with less stress and more cooperation.
Thoughtful advocacy for parenting arrangements that protect your children and preserve what matters most.
We can assist with complex divorces, using our knowledge and experience to uncover customized solutions. If you face a gray divorce or high-asset divorce in North Carolina, contact the attorneys of . Contact us online to reach us at our Durham, Raleigh, Cary, Pittsboro, or Wake Forest offices, or call at to schedule a consultation.
And for a fun twist: don’t miss our “Pour Decisions” section, featuring wine tips from our lawyer-wine specialist Gray Ellis!
