How To Start Over After A Divorce At 50?
By
HuutiMoney
Starting over after divorce at 50 can be a challenge but with the increase in divorces across the globe, it is not alarming that more people find themselves divorced at mid-age levels today than they did 10 years ago. The aim of this article is to explore the options that someone has in order to start over after divorce at 50 with a few guidelines on how to manage their finances until there is a stable income; as well as reduce their living expenses simultaneously, especially in situations where the divorce has also caused a material and financial downgrade
How To Start Over After A Divorce At 50?
While it may not be less than a challenge to face the emotional, social and financial consequences of a divorce, in order to start over after divorce at 50, you may want to consider the following suggestions:
- Prioritise your long-term financial stability if you haven’t done so already. You and your partner should list down all the pension schemes that both of you have; either individually or jointly and then calculate an estimated worth of these so that their division can be planned. Ideally, this conversation should be held in the presence of your legal adviser(s).
- Consider your housing options if you choose to leave the family home. Although neither party can be coerced by the other one to leave the family house, if one party does so, they will have to consider affordable housing options including council or social housing if they are financially constrained. You must remember that both as a married or civil partnership or under joint ownership or joint tenancy agreement, both parties will continue to have the same property rights after a divorce as they did prior to it.
- While the partner who is on a low income after divorce is supposed to get spousal maintenance as per court order, should you find yourself in a financial constraint after a divorce, you may consider looking for part-time or volunteer work. During this time, you can check with your local Job Centre if you qualify for state benefits.
- In the case of owning assets, savings or investments you should discuss with your partner and also seek legal advice on their division. If you choose not to sell any assets at the time of divorce, it would be best to agree upon a will that can decide the future course of action without any dispute by the surviving former partner. However, it would be best to make a decision regarding savings and investments and divide them during the divorce process.
How To Find A House If I Have To Start Over After A Divorce At 50?
If you need to find a house while starting over a divorce at 50, it is a clear indicator that either you have chosen to leave the family house or it is up for sale during the divorce proceedings. While housing costs continue to rise, you may find that there are only limited options to choose from when you are on a limited budget.
However, you may find the following suggestions regarding affordable housing useful:
- consider affordable private property
- apply for council housing
- apply for state benefits
The most affordable private property will still be more expensive in comparison with council housing. However, in the case of a council housing application, the claimant should either be on a low income to qualify or at risk of homelessness, mental health deterioration or living in cramped conditions after a divorce to be prioritised for housing.
You can get affordable housing after a divorce by exploring all possible options including the following:
- online websites where rental properties are listed
- consult a letting agent to find a suitable property
- check local newspapers for advertisements
- observe notice boards in shops, libraries or community centres for notices
What Benefits Can I Claim If I Have To Start Over After A Divorce At 50?
If you are low on income and savings after your divorce, you can apply for the following benefits:
- Depending on your income and savings, you can claim Housing Benefit if you live in rented accommodation.
- If you have a health condition or a disability due to which you cannot work, you can claim an Employment and Support Allowance.
- You may qualify for income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance. If you receive these benefits for 26 weeks, you can apply for an interest-free loan for basic home expenses.
- If you are a homeowner claiming Universal Credit, you can apply for Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) to help you with mortgage payments.
- If you are the sole adult in your household, you can claim a 25 per cent discount on your council tax bills.
To learn about which benefits you qualify for, it is best to use an independent Benefits Calculator.
Conclusion:
While being divorced has its financial consequences along with the emotional ones, having to start over after divorce at 50 years of age is a constantly uphill task. While there may be exceptional cases where partners end a marriage with mutual consent over the division of assets and distribution of property; however, most people will have to consider low-cost housing options, part-time jobs or benefits claims if they are faced with financial challenges on the other side of a divorce at a mid-age level.
FAQs: How To Start Over After A Divorce At 50?
How do I rebuild my life after divorce at 50?
In order to rebuild your life after divorce at 50, you must start with a positive attitude, build on relationships that give you joy, connect with your children then start working on a life plan.
How long does it take to get over a divorce?
While most people agree on the 5-year mark to recover from the emotional and financial burden caused by divorce; every individual has their own recovery path.
What is a wife entitled to in a divorce settlement in the UK?
Divorce settlements in the UK aim to each an equal split between both parties which makes that wife’s entitlement 50%.
Who leaves the house after a divorce?
There is no legal obligation on either party to leave the house in the case of a jointly owned property. However, in the case of sole property, the occupant generally moves out of the premises while the owner stays.
How do you rebuild financially after a divorce?
In order to rebuild yourself financially after a divorce, you may need to cut down on certain expenses, go back to working full time if you weren’t doing so and start saving for your future.
References:
How To Survive Divorce After 50
5 Top tips for people divorcing late in life | Winston Solicitors