Chicago Gray Divorce Attorneys

Are You In Need of a Chicago Gray Divorce Lawyer?

Ending a marriage later in life, often called a gray divorce, comes with a unique set of challenges. When decades of financial entanglement, shared property, and family history must be divided, having the right legal support is essential. If you're facing a divorce in your 50s, 60s, or beyond, you deserve a law firm that understands the legal, financial, and emotional complexities of late-life separation.

At Nottage and Ward, LLP, we offer strategic guidance that’s tailored to the realities of gray divorce. If you’re entering or considering a late-life divorce, the decisions you make now will affect your financial security, retirement, relationships with adult children, and emotional health. Call the experienced Chicago Gray Divorce law team today.

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Why Choose Us Over Other Gray Divorce Attorneys in Chicago?

When it comes to gray divorce, experience matters. Here’s why Nottage and Ward, LLP is the trusted choice for clients facing late-in-life divorce:

• Over 35 Years of Focused Family Law Experience – Delivering consistent, high-level representation across a wide range of divorce matters.
• Comprehensive Understanding of High-Asset Divorce and Retirement Planning – Helping clients protect complex financial portfolios and long-term stability.
• Recognized in the Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Pre-eminent Lawyers – A distinction awarded for legal excellence and ethical standards.
• Strategic Advisors for Clients Facing Parental Alienation and Custody Disputes – Providing clarity and advocacy in emotionally charged family dynamics.
• Tailored Legal Counsel for Professionals, Business Owners, and Retirees – Customized strategies to fit each client’s career, lifestyle, and financial goals.
• Client-Centered Approach with a Reputation for Compassion and Discretion – Prioritizing privacy, empathy, and personalized support throughout the process.
• Deep Knowledge of Illinois Spousal Support and Property Division Laws – Ensuring equitable outcomes grounded in the realities of state statutes.
• Strong Negotiation and Litigation Skills with a History of Favorable Outcomes – Prepared to resolve disputes efficiently or advocate aggressively in court.

We don't treat gray divorce like any other separation—we treat it with the nuance and care it deserves.

Facing a Divorce Over 50?

Contact Nottage and Ward, LLP at (312) 332-2915 for strategic legal support tailored to gray divorce.

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What Is a Gray Divorce?

A gray divorce refers to the dissolution of a marriage involving spouses typically over the age of 50. The term gained prominence as divorce rates among older adults steadily increased, particularly among those in long-term marriages.

These divorces are often less about child custody and more about dividing assets accumulated over decades, determining ongoing financial support, and ensuring that retirement plans remain secure. Emotional stakes are also high, especially when adult children, grandchildren, and long-standing social connections are involved.

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How an Experienced Chicago Divorce Attorney Can Help

Managing a gray divorce without legal guidance can put your future at serious risk. Here's how a Chicago divorce lawyer at Nottage and Ward, LLP can help:

• Asset Identification and Division: We help clients identify all marital and separate property, including investments, real estate, retirement accounts, and pensions.
• Retirement Planning Strategy: We work to preserve your retirement income and determine how it should be divided to ensure long-term financial stability.
• Spousal Support Negotiation: For long-term marriages, spousal support is often a major issue. We help ensure support is fair and appropriate to your needs.
• Healthcare and Insurance Guidance: We evaluate how divorce will affect your access to health coverage and help you plan for continuity of care.
• Estate and Inheritance Protections: We help you revise estate plans and protect inheritances from being improperly divided.
• Emotional and Family Dynamics: We work with empathy, helping you navigate the emotional toll and family complexities that often come with gray divorce.

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Common Issues in a Gray Divorce

At this stage in life, your divorce is not just a legal matter; it’s a major life transition.

Finances and Assets

Gray divorces often involve more substantial and complex marital estates. Many couples have multiple bank accounts, real estate holdings, and investment portfolios. Untangling years of financial partnership requires a clear understanding of marital vs. non-marital property, Illinois equitable distribution laws, and strategic asset division.

We help clients protect what they’ve built and ensure a fair outcome that supports long-term financial independence.

Retirement Plans

Dividing pensions, IRAs, 401(k)s, and other retirement accounts is a major focus in gray divorce. We assist with:

• Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs)
• Valuing Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution Plans
• Strategically preserving tax-advantaged retirement savings

Our goal is to ensure that your post-divorce financial future is as stable and secure as possible.

Health Insurance

Many spouses over 50 rely on their partner’s employer-sponsored health insurance. Divorce can leave one party suddenly uninsured. We address:

• Continued coverage under COBRA or private insurance
• Potential eligibility for Medicare
• How healthcare costs should be considered in spousal support negotiations

Health insurance is too important to leave unresolved—especially later in life.

Spousal Support

In long-term marriages, especially where one spouse has been financially dependent, spousal support (maintenance) is often a key issue. Illinois law considers factors such as:

• Length of the marriage
• Earning capacity of both spouses
• Age and health
• Standard of living established during the marriage

We advocate for fair, sustainable support arrangements, whether you’re seeking support or being asked to provide it.

Inheritance and Estate Planning

Many gray divorce clients have estate plans that include their spouse, as well as inheritance issues involving adult children and grandchildren. Divorce requires revisiting and revising:

• Wills and trusts
• Powers of attorney Revocable or irrevocable trusts
• Property ownership and transfer documents
• Beneficiary designations
• Inheritance protections for children from previous marriages

Social Security

Spouses who have been married 10 years or more may be entitled to collect Social Security benefits based on their ex-spouse’s earnings record, without reducing the ex-spouse’s benefits.

Our attorneys guide you through the impact of divorce on Social Security eligibility and how it fits into your long-term financial planning.

Loneliness & Emotional Impact

Gray divorce can carry a unique emotional toll. Many clients report feelings of loss, isolation, and fear about starting over. We help by providing steady, empathetic legal counsel and connecting you with professionals and resources when emotional support is needed.

Adult Children and Grandchildren

Unlike younger divorcing couples, older adults don’t typically fight over child custody, but adult children and grandchildren are still part of the emotional equation. Tensions, loyalty conflicts, and inheritance concerns often arise.

We provide strategic legal guidance to protect family relationships wherever possible, while helping you make clear-headed decisions about financial planning and legacy.

Divorcing After Decades of Marriage?

You need more than basic legal help. Call a Chicago family law attorney at Nottage and Ward, LLP at (312) 332-2915 to start building a plan.

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Why You Should See a Lawyer Right Away

If you're considering a gray divorce—or have already been served with papers—it’s critical to speak with an attorney as soon as possible. Early action can:

• Prevent costly financial mistakes
• Protect your retirement and healthcare benefits
• Give you more control over the settlement process
• Avoid unnecessary emotional or legal conflict

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Speak With a Trusted Chicago Gray Divorce Attorney Today

Gray divorce involves higher financial stakes, longer-term implications, and greater need for customized legal strategy. At Nottage and Ward, LLP, we work closely with each client to ensure they’re fully prepared for the decisions ahead.

Call (312) 332-2915 to learn more today.

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What Clients Are Saying About Us

She has continuously looked out for my best interests-Anonymous (5-Star Avvo Review)

Leslie has been the strongest representation I could ask for in a very complicated emotional matter. She has continuously looked out for my best interests & the best interest of my son. Always prompt in getting back to me & keeping me well informed.

I was pleased with the outcome- Kris (5-Star Avvo Review)

Jeff handled my divorce proceedings, which took approximately 14 months. Divorce is very difficult, but Jeff managed to make this painful process a bit more bearable. Jeff was very professional and direct in his approach, while at the same time very funny and able to diffuse the tension when needed most. He is smart, incredibly patient, and a great advocate to have on your side. I was pleased with the outcome and will definitely use him again if the need arises.

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Gray Divorce FAQs

What is a gray divorce?

A gray divorce refers to the dissolution of a marriage between spouses who are typically over the age of 50. These divorces often involve long-term marriages and present unique legal and financial challenges, especially around retirement planning, asset division, and spousal support.

How is a gray divorce different from a typical divorce?

Gray divorces often involve more complex financial matters such as dividing retirement accounts, pensions, real estate holdings, and long-term investments. Custody is usually not an issue, but emotional dynamics involving adult children and estate planning often come into play.

Do I have to divide my retirement accounts in a gray divorce?

In many cases, yes. Retirement accounts accumulated during the marriage are considered marital property in Illinois and are subject to equitable distribution. This includes 401(k)s, IRAs, pensions, and other retirement benefits.

Will I have to pay or receive spousal support?

Possibly. In long-term marriages, spousal support, also known as maintenance, can be awarded to help the lower-earning spouse maintain financial stability after divorce. The court will consider factors like the length of the marriage, each party’s earning capacity, and standard of living.

How does divorce affect Social Security benefits?

If you were married for 10 years or more, you may be eligible to collect Social Security benefits based on your ex-spouse’s work record. This does not reduce their benefit and may be a factor in your financial planning post-divorce.

What happens to health insurance after a gray divorce?

Divorce typically ends one spouse’s eligibility for the other’s employer-sponsored health insurance. Options like COBRA, private insurance, or Medicare may be available. It’s essential to plan for continued coverage, especially later in life.

Can my inheritance be divided in a gray divorce?

Generally, inheritances are considered non-marital property in Illinois if they were kept separate. However, if the inheritance was co-mingled with marital assets (e.g., placed in a joint account), it may be subject to division. Our attorneys can help assess your situation.

How should I handle estate planning after a gray divorce?

A divorce should prompt an immediate review of your estate plan. Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and beneficiary designations must be updated to reflect your new legal and financial circumstances. We can guide you through this process to protect your wishes.

Will divorce affect my relationship with my adult children or grandchildren?

It can. Adult children may take sides or feel emotional strain during a gray divorce. Grandparent relationships may also shift. While courts don’t make custody decisions for adult children, we help clients manage the legal and emotional fallout within the family.

Why should I hire a lawyer for a gray divorce?

Gray divorces are often financially and emotionally complex. An experienced attorney can help protect your retirement, secure fair spousal support, address healthcare and estate planning concerns, and ensure that you move into the next phase of life with stability and clarity.

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Meet Our Chicago Gray Divorce Attorneys

Jeffrey Knipmeyer

Jeffrey Knipmeyer is a respected family law attorney and partner at Nottage and Ward, LLP, where he brings over 15 years of experience to complex divorce and custody matters. With a calm, focused approach and deep knowledge of Illinois family law, Jeffrey is known for guiding clients through some of the most difficult periods of their lives with clarity, strength, and strategic insight.

Jeffrey represents clients in a wide range of family law issues, including high-asset divorce, gray divorce, parental alienation, allocation of parental responsibilities, and post-decree modifications. He has a strong track record of success in cases involving business ownership, retirement division, and long-term financial planning, making him a trusted advisor for professionals and high-net-worth individuals facing significant transitions.

Leslie Fineberg

Leslie Fineberg is a veteran family law attorney and partner at Nottage and Ward, LLP, with over 25 years of experience representing clients in some of the most challenging divorce and custody cases in Illinois. Known for her sharp legal instincts and compassionate advocacy, Leslie brings both strength and sensitivity to every matter she handles.

Her practice focuses on complex divorce litigation, high-net-worth asset division, gray divorce, parental alienation, and the allocation of parental responsibilities. Leslie has a deep understanding of the financial, legal, and emotional nuances that come with long-term marriages, professional careers, and intricate family dynamics. She is particularly skilled at protecting her clients’ long-term interests in cases involving business assets, retirement plans, spousal maintenance, and contested parenting issues.

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Additional Information

• Why Do Some Long-Term Illinois Marriages End In Divorce?
• Recent Years Bring A Boom In Gray Divorce