According to research conducted by the National Center for Family and Marriage Research, the rate of divorce among baby boomers more than doubled between 1990 and 2010. Pennsylvania couples who divorce later in life face special issues regarding income and finances. A recent survey of 56,000 women showed that older women who divorce are often at a particular disadvantage. The study found that women who divorce late in life are more likely to have full-time jobs between the ages of 50 and 74.
Research by the Social Security Administration suggests that divorced women may end up worse off financially than those who never marry at all. Specifically, according to the SSA, 22 percent of divorced women over the age of 80 are categorized as poor, compared to 17 percent of women who did not marry and 15 percent of widowed women.
A research paper published by the National Bureau of Economic Research showed that women in high-risk marriages did more to prepare for life after divorce than women in low-risk marriages. According to the researchers, women in high-risk marriages endeavored more to increase their human capital during the course of the marriage.
Individuals who have questions about the divorce process may want to consult an attorney. A lawyer with experience in high-asset divorce cases may be able to make use of discovery to uncover assets or suggest strategies to prepare for life after divorce. An attorney may also be able to help negotiate a property settlement or argue on behalf of a client during child custody proceedings.