At Wellers, we work with clients every day who are navigating divorce during the menopause. A high percentage of UK divorces are initiated by women in their 40s,50s and 60s— the precise age range during which most women experience perimenopause, menopause or post-menopause while managing relationships, careers and family life.
Common symptoms of menopause that affect relationships include:
- Severe mood swings and heightened anxiety
- Depression
- Loss of libido and changes in physical intimacy
- Sleep disruption
- Difficulty with memory or concentration
- A re-evaluation of your life
A survey of 1,000 women by the Family Law Menopause project revealed that 73% of respondents attributed their marriage breakdown or divorce in part to menopause
Menopause often coincides with children leaving home, the responsibility of caring for ageing parents and continued workplace pressure. The cumulative load can make an already strained marriage feel untenable.
Menopause symptoms can and should be factored into financial remedy proceedings. Menopause symptoms may affect a woman’s current or future earning capacity. A woman going through menopause may have reduced earning capacity — whether due to symptoms, career breaks or domestic responsibility. If this is not properly factored into a financial settlement, a woman could face financial hardship in retirement. A financial clean break order may not serve a woman’s long-term interests if she is facing health-related limitations on her ability to work so spousal maintenance should be properly assessed. Pension assets are often a very significant financial asset in marriages. Menopause-age divorces frequently involve pension sharing orders. A woman can obtain medical evidence of her symptoms to support her case when negotiating pension sharing, spousal maintenance and property adjustment orders.
At Wellers we offer sensitive and empathetic guidance during every step of the divorce and financial remedy proceedings and we have expert knowledge of pension sharing, property division and spousal maintenance.
Contact us at enquiries@wellerslawgroup.com