by Myra Chack Fleischer, CFL-S
Fleischer & Ravreby, Carlsbad, California

Divorce among people over the age of 50 is no longer considered unusual; it’s here to stay. The “gray divorce” revolution has changed the landscape for divorce in the United States.

Now statistics are bearing witness to this trend. A report by researchers Susan L. Brown and I-Fen Lin at Bowling Green State University in Ohio found the following:

• The divorce rate for Americans over the age of 50 has doubled since 1990
• The divorce rate has more than doubled for Americans over the age of 65
• One out of every four divorces in the United States involves at least one person 50 or older’ nearly one in ten involves someone 65 years or older
• More than half of gray divorces are in first marriages; and more than half of these couples have been married 20 years or more

When … Read More

By Laura Wasser

Family law attorney Laura Wasser, known for representing celebrity clients in Southern California during their divorces and similar legal matters in the spotlight, endorsed Collaborative Divorce during her keynote lunch presentation at Collaborative Practice California (CP Cal) Conference 10 in Los Angeles.

Wasser is a steadfast advocate for private, respectful divorce proceedings whenever possible, and she says Collaborative Divorce makes this possible. Wasser said any revolution must begin with responsible professionals, problem solvers ready to face the challenge of changing the way both professionals and their clients approach resolution.

First and foremost, Wasser says, we need to tell clients, “Don’t let someone in a black robe who doesn’t know you and your family make decisions for you,” and instead urge them to take control of their situation. “Involving clients in the process needs to happen. They have to talk to resolve issues,” said Wasser.

Wasser said many … Read More