Dissolution of a Long-Term Marriage in Rochester

We Can Provide Professional Representation

When couples divorce after a long-term marriage, there are complex property division and spousal support issues that need to be addressed. You may have spent the majority of your adult life building assets and planning a future together with your spouse, and getting what you are entitled to in a marital settlement should be a top priority. Under Michigan divorce laws, factors the court is likely to consider in making these determinations include:

• The age of the parties, their health, and the length of the marriage;
• Their current income and earning potential;
• Each person’s contributions in acquiring and increasing the value of assets;
• Any career or education sacrifices either party made for the sake of the other or their family.

Pension and retirement benefits are other issues that are common in long-term divorce cases. You may be entitled to a share of your spouse’s benefits, which requires a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO). The Internal Revenue Service advises that this is required to divide these funds without incurring massive penalties. Depending on your situation, you may elect to defer payments until you are 65 or roll these benefits over into your own retirement account.

Contact Us Today for Help

While the decision to get a divorce after a long-term marriage often comes as a shock, it is important to act quickly to protect your rights to property and assets. At Iafrate & Salassa, P.C., our Rochester divorce attorneys have the experience you need to help you get what you are entitled to in your marital settlement. Call or contact our office online today and request a free consultation to see how we can assist you.