A Shropshire solicitor who specialises in divorce has reported seeing a marked increase in the number of ‘silver separators’.
Robert Adams of Wace Morgan Solicitors, which has three offices in Shrewsbury, has said that the number of divorcing couples aged over 60 is on the rise in the county.
“The number of divorces against the number of new marriages is increasing nationally and in Shropshire, to the point where it is now one in three and the average age of people going through divorce proceedings has also increased. What is most alarming is the rise of divorce in the 65-years-plus group, which is higher than any other age group.
“This brings with it, from the legal advisor’s point of view, a need to deal with substantially different issues between the parties and we would urge people to get specialist advice.
“There are frequently no children to provide for, the parties are often retired, drawing pensions and may have no other income and no debt or mortgages to pay and could have received inheritances or gifts during their lifetime but complications arise when dealing with other challenges.
“There could be distinct financial issues relating to income and inheritance tax which need to be taken into account and of course it is a sad reality that long-term health care and capacity also has to be considered as divorce means the loss of a potential carer too.”
Mr Adams, who has over 30 years’ experience in the divorce sector, said the advice that such couples needed to receive was different and required expertise in a range of disciplines. He said that more mature couples should ensure that they talked to a legal advisor who was suitably qualified and able to examine the various specific issues.
“Wace Morgan is offering a free 20-minute consultation to people considering divorce. We have vast experience and a wealth of expertise to provide advice on separation and divorce as well as issues of tax, inheritances, wills and trusts, and matters surrounding care, capacity and care home fees.“
