NewsTalk 1010: Divorcing Later In Life - Featuring Laura Paris, Shulman & Partners

Laura Paris, Associate Lawyer at Shulman & Partners LLP, recently joined Newstalk 1010 to discuss the growing and often misunderstood issue of grey divorce. Referring to separations involving couples married for decades, grey divorce presents unique financial and emotional challenges that many families do not anticipate. As people approach or enter retirement, long-term planning is typically built around supporting one household, not two. When a separation occurs later in life, those assumptions can quickly unravel. This conversation highlights why grey divorce requires careful consideration, particularly around retirement planning, spousal support, and the involvement of adult children. The discussion offers valuable insight for couples navigating separation after many years together, as well as for families trying to understand how these late-life transitions can reshape financial security and long-term planning.

“When you’re preparing for retirement and you’re in a relationship, you’re not expecting that you’re going to end up supporting two households when retirement comes around.”
— Laura Paris, Associate Lawyer at Shulman & Partners LLP

During her appearance, Laura unpacked why grey divorce can be far more complex than many people expect, particularly from a financial standpoint. Grey divorce refers to separations involving couples who have been married for a significant period of time, often 30, 40, or even 50 years. At this stage of life, financial decisions are typically tied closely to retirement planning, which assumes shared expenses, pooled resources, and long-term stability within a single household.

Laura explained that one of the biggest challenges in grey divorce is retirement itself. Many couples plan their retirement years assuming they will share housing, living costs, and savings. When separation enters the picture, that plan collapses. Instead of stretching retirement savings to support one household, those same funds must now sustain two separate lives. This reality often leads people to reconsider whether divorce is financially viable at all, and Laura noted that many clients come in seeking information only to realize how difficult the numbers are to make work.

Another major issue discussed was life insurance. In long-term marriages, especially where one spouse has earned significantly more income or where one partner stayed home, spousal support often becomes necessary. Life insurance can be used to secure that support if the paying spouse passes away. Laura emphasized that this consideration is particularly important in grey divorces, where reliance on support may extend for the remainder of a person’s life.

Adult children also add another layer of complexity. Unlike younger divorces where children may be minors or largely uninvolved, adult children often take a strong interest in how their parents’ assets are divided. In many cases, adult children expect to inherit those assets eventually, which can lead to heightened emotions and competing interests. Laura noted that this dynamic is becoming more common, especially as parents increasingly provide financial assistance to their children during their lifetime to help with housing or other major expenses.

The discussion also touched on the importance of professional guidance. She advised that individuals considering a grey divorce should begin by speaking with a family lawyer to understand their legal rights and obligations. Once there is clarity on how assets and support may be divided, consulting a financial advisor becomes essential. With careful planning, some individuals may find alternatives such as renting instead of buying or adjusting investment strategies to better support long-term financial security.

Listen to the full NewsTalk 1010 segment here. 

This media appearance is part of Shulman & Partners LLP’s ongoing contributions to Canadian family law discussions. Explore more of our media features in our In the Media  archive.