Divorce in Your 50s: Specialist Family Law Solicitors : Guidance, Support and Legal Advice
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Divorce later in life is more common than ever. Whether you’ve been married for decades or have recently remarried, ending a marriage in your 50s brings a unique set of emotional, financial, and family challenges. At this stage of life, there’s often more at stake — from pensions and property to adult children and retirement plans. If you’re going through divorce in your 50s, having the right legal advice and support from specialist family law solicitors can make all the difference.
Here at Bonallack & Bishop, our family lawyers provide practical, sensitive, and strategic legal advice to individuals navigating divorce in their 50s and beyond. Whether you’re concerned about your finances, future, or family, we’re here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
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Why Divorce in Your 50s Is Different
While the emotional impact of divorce is significant at any age, those divorcing in mid-life often face more complex financial and personal considerations:
1. Pensions and Retirement
Many people divorcing in their 50s are approaching retirement or have already begun planning for it. Your pension is likely to be one of your most valuable assets — and it may be subject to division as part of the financial settlement. A fair and well-informed agreement is essential to secure your financial future.
2. Property and Long-Term Assets
Couples who have been together for many years often own property, investments, savings, and other shared assets. These may have increased significantly in value, creating potential for complex division or dispute. Clear legal advice from solicitors specialising in divorce is essential to ensure you understand your rights and options.
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3. Adult or Teenage Children
Even when children are no longer young, their emotional needs and your parental responsibilities don’t disappear. Teenagers may be facing exams, university, or mental health pressures. Adult children may have questions about inheritance or feel torn between parents. We offer guidance on reaching sensible arrangements that respect your family relationships.
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4. Second Marriages and Blended Families
Divorce after a second marriage can involve different dynamics — such as stepchildren, co-owned properties, or financial agreements with former spouses. Our team helps you navigate these situations with professionalism and care.
Divorce in Your 50s – Financial Settlements: Protecting Your Future
When divorcing in your 50s, it’s crucial to understand how your finances will be affected both immediately and in the long term. Our experienced family lawyers help you:
- Identify and value all marital assets, including pensions, property, savings, business interests and overseas assets.
- Negotiate a fair financial settlement, whether through agreement, mediation, or court proceedings.
- Secure your retirement income, including pension sharing or offsetting arrangements.
- Protect or claim spousal maintenance, especially where one partner has been financially dependent.
- Plan for the future, including revising your will, inheritance plans, and property ownership.
We work closely with financial advisers, pension experts and actuaries where needed, to ensure any settlement is robust, realistic, and tailored to your situation.
Children and Family Dynamics
Divorce in later life doesn’t mean children aren’t affected. You may be parenting teenagers, supporting adult children financially, or even caring for grandchildren. Emotional support and clear communication are vital — and where legal guidance is needed, we’re here.
We advise on:
- Living arrangements and parenting plans, if younger children are involved.
- University fees or ongoing financial support, for adult children.
- Contact arrangements with grandchildren or extended family.
- Disputes involving stepchildren or co-parenting with former partners.
Our goal is to help you reach agreements that preserve family relationships while prioritising your wellbeing and legal rights.
Tailored Legal Support That Respects Your Life Stage
Our family lawyers understand that divorce in your 50s is rarely just about ending a relationship. It’s often about redefining your identity, protecting your lifestyle, and ensuring you’re financially secure for the years ahead.
We offer:
- Discreet, professional advice from experienced family solicitors
- Flexible representation — whether you need help negotiating, mediating, or litigating
- Clear guidance on what to expect, including likely outcomes and time frames
- Support with related legal matters, such as wills, trusts, and property transfers
Divorce in Your 50s – How Family Mediation Can Help
For many couples divorcing later in life, family mediation offers a calm, constructive way to resolve disputes without the stress and cost of going to court. Mediation can be especially useful when discussing sensitive issues like the division of pensions, future housing arrangements, or support for adult children. With the guidance of a trained mediator, you and your former partner can work through disagreements, stay in control of the outcome, and reach practical agreements tailored to your needs. here at Bonallack and Bishop, we are strong supporters of family mediation – though we do accept it doesn’t work for everyone. 1 of our family law team is both a qualified lawyer and trained family mediator.
We can either act as your mediator or if we are acting for you as solicitors in your divorce, we can refer you to other independent jointly qualified family lawyers/ mediators whilst we provide legal advice alongside the mediation process to ensure your interests are protected.
And family mediation can take place in a number of ways – either face-to-face, or in the same building without actually needing to be in the same room (the mediator can shuttle between rooms so you don’t need to meet your ex). But equally mediation increasingly takes place online – wherever you and your ex is based locally, nationwide or overseas.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is it too late to divorce in my 50s?
Absolutely not. Many people find that this stage of life brings clarity and the desire for a fresh start. With the right support, you can make informed decisions and protect your future.
Will I lose half my pension or house?
Not necessarily. Every financial settlement is based on individual circumstances, including needs, contributions, and length of marriage. We’ll help you understand your entitlements and negotiate a fair outcome.
Can I afford to divorce now?
We can help you assess your financial position and explore options including cost-effective mediation, fixed-fee services, or staged legal support. It may cost less than you think to gain peace of mind.
What if my partner controlled the finances?
You still have legal rights. We can help uncover the full picture, secure interim support if needed, and ensure you’re treated fairly throughout the process.
Ready for the right advice?
If you’re considering divorce in your 50s — or you’ve already made the decision — speaking to a specialist solicitor early can help you protect your future, your family, and your peace of mind.
Our highly experienced family team combine deep legal expertise with genuine care for our clients. We’ll guide you through the process with clarity, compassion, and confidence.
