Divorce After 50: Why Bringing in a CDFA® Can Change the Outcome
Divorce later in life—often called “grey divorce”—comes with challenges that look different from splits earlier on. A common pattern: one spouse has been out of the paid workforce for years. After assets are divided, many couples discover there isn’t enough saved to comfortably fund both retirements—and the window to rebuild is short.
When one spouse hasn’t been working
In many long marriages, one partner (frequently the stay-at-home parent) has limited recent earnings. That history doesn’t usually change how assets are divided, but it does affect the ability to save for retirement. Landing a job with meaningful near-term income can be difficult. Often, earnings plus spousal support cover basic bills but leave little room to build retirement savings—and sometimes support isn’t enough, forcing the dependent spouse to dip into savings just to get by.
Why a forward-looking plan matters
At FMD Wealth Advisors, our Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) modeling helps both spouses see beyond the immediate settlement. We stress-test proposals by:
Adjusting budgets and income for inflation
Using conservative return assumptions for investments
Reflecting real-life changes (e.g., buying a home, downsizing, healthcare shifts)
Mapping future income changes (support ending, retirement dates, Social Security)
Seeing these projections side-by-side helps you evaluate how today’s choices are likely to play out—next year, ten years out, and through retirement. In long-term marriages where work histories and earning power differ, these “life after divorce” forecasts often reveal outcomes that are otherwise easy to miss.
How a CDFA® supports durable agreements
A CDFA® brings clarity to negotiations by highlighting long-run tradeoffs—not just what’s “equal” today, but what is sustainable. With better insight into cash flow, taxes, and retirement readiness, couples can shape terms that are fair now and financially workable later. The result: fewer surprises, more confidence, and agreements that align with each person’s long-term well-being.
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Disclosures: FMD Wealth Advisors LLC (“FMD Wealth Advisors”) is a Registered Investment Adviser.
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