Most people wouldn’t think that seniors get divorced very often. In fact, they would likely assume that if they made it to that point being married they were likely to stay married for the rest of their life. But that would not be accurate and they would be surprised at the rate at which seniors are getting divorced. The good news is that there is divorce assistance for seniors who need it.
According to the popular organization AARP, divorce among seniors has been rapidly increasing since society has become more tolerant of it and women are becoming more financially independent. In fact, they say that the boomer generation has become the most divorced nation. It’s becoming more common for seniors to opt for divorce, because the kids are grown up and out of the house, and they feel they have no reason to stay in a situation that is not making them happy or meeting their needs.
There are also some people who divorce as seniors for other reasons. One of them is due to debt. If a couple owes a lot of money in healthcare debt or another type of debt and it is all in one person’s name, there are people who are divorcing to protect the assets. The divorce in such cases is merely a legal act, but the couple remains together. No matter the reason behind the divorce, it is important to know where to find divorce assistance for seniors.
Where to Find Divorce Assistance for Seniors
The assistance that most seniors need when they are seeking a divorce lies in the legal field. They will need to get legal advice and assistance. Attorneys can be expensive, which is difficult for seniors to pay for if they are living on a fixed income. Some seniors may also want counseling services to help with getting through the psychological aspect of divorce, especially since they are older and if they have been with their spouse for many years.
Below you will find a variety of resources to help with divorce assistance for seniors. Contact the ones that seem like a good fit for your situation. There are no limits on how many places you can contact for assistance, so reach out to as many as you would like to get the help you need.
State Bar Association – Each state has a bar association, which is a resource with information about every attorney in that state. They also maintain a database with information about which lawyers offer pro bono services, which is the term used for free services. Call your state bar to inquire about any pro bono attorneys in your area that can provide divorce assistance for seniors. They should be able to provide you with referrals to attorneys near you that offer pro bono divorce assistance for seniors.
Legal Colleges – If there are law schools or college law programs in your area, contact them to see if they offer any free legal services for the public. Often times, they offer free legal consultations for those in the community. They do this to give the students experience with working on real cases. Their work is, of course, overseen by the professors to ensure that the advice provided is accurate. If they cannot provide you with legal services, they may be able to refer you to someone in the area that can be of assistance. They may have alumni who are willing to help people in the community for free.
Local Divorce Attorneys – There are divorce lawyers all over the country. Most charge a lot of money for their services. There are some, however, that will discount their services and charge on a sliding scale fee, or may offer free advice to help those in the community who otherwise cannot afford it. Contact divorce attorneys in your area to see if they can help or know of a place you can get assistance.
Council on Aging – There are many Council on Aging offices around the country. If you have one near you, contact them to see if they can help with divorce assistance for seniors. They may be able to help with legal advice, counseling services, and even things like moving if you will be relocating following the divorce.
Local Library – The library systems around the country offer a wealth of information and are a great place to find resources in your area. Call or stop by to see what type of services they can provide to help with divorce assistance. They likely have legal books, forms, videos, and more. They also often hold classes and seminars that may be of interest to someone who is divorcing. They can likely offer help with finding local resources to turn to as well.
Churches – Local churches are good places to turn to for divorce assistance for seniors, primarily if you are a Christian. Some offer counseling services regarding divorce, and others offer support groups. Contact your local churches to see if they offer any type of assistance programs that may be of interest to you. Depending on the church, some may offer couple’s therapy to try and keep the marriage together.
Salvation Army – This organization helps people with many different things and they have offices around the country. They do provide therapy for people who need it. They also help with free food, clothing, and other resources. These are all things that seniors may need if they are struggling financially through a divorce. Contact to a local near you to see what services they can offer. To find a location near you, click here.
Catholic Charities – Similar to Salvation Army, this organization has many locations in the country and can be a great resource to help seniors who are going through divorce. They help people with counseling, food, clothing, shelter, etc. Contact locations near you to see what type of services they can help you with. They may also be a good place to get local referrals from. To get more information and find a location near you, click here.