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Flying Solo Survey of More Than 3,000 People Over 50 Reveals Needs At Divorce

Survey-Older-Web
Flying Solo/Life Management Survey -- Over Age 50 Results   
    
  MALE FEMALETOTALS
  ========== ===================
I. SEX OF RESPONDENT43%57% 
  1,767 1,380 3147
II. MARITAL STATUS & INFORMATION   
    
1) Separated21%31%799
2) Divorced19%21%626
3) Seeking Information About Divorce60%48%1722
    
4) Length of Marriage At Time Survey Completed -- Includes Multiple Marriages   
1 - 7 Years3%5%122
8 - 12 Years5%7%185
13 - 20 Years6%11%258
21 - 25 Years13%24%561
26 - 30 Years53%41%1502
more than 30 Years20%12%519
    
5) Avg length of marriage (Years)27.4 25.2  
    
6) As To Those Who Are Divorced, # of Mo's between Separation And Divorce   
6 months or less9%13%338
more than 6 months91%87%2809
    
7) As To Those Who Are Divorced, # of Years since Divorce   
1 year or less67%71%2164
more than 1 year33%29%983
    
8) # of Marriages   
one63%72%2106
two29%19%776
three or more8%9%266
    
III. RESPONDENT'S PERSONAL INFORMATION   
    
1) Age at separation (yrs)   
50 - 558%12%307
56 - 6035%27%991
61 - 6522%28%775
66 - 7018%16%539
71 - 757%9%248
75 and over10%8%287
    
2) Average age at separation (yrs)65.6 64.2  
   
3) Education level   
high school only57%71%1987
some college19%19%598
college degree11%6%277
graduate degree13%4%285
    
IV. INFORMATION ABOUT CHILDRENMALE FEMALE 
    
1) Number   
07%3%165
18%6%224
253%61%1778
3 or more32%30%979
    
2) Children's Ages(s) at Separation (in Years)   
1 - 90%0% 
10 - 189%11% 
19 - 2237%42% 
23 and over66%51% 
(exceeds 100%)   
   
3) One or more in college25%17%676
    
V. EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION   
    
1) Full-time27%18% 
2) Part-time (<35 hours/wk)31%19% 
3) Two jobs5%7% 
4) Unemployed7%31% 
5) Retired30%25% 
6) Of unemployed, need training to work55%75% 
7) Of employed, began work after 23%33% 
separation of necessity0%87% 
8) Income   
Wages$30,900 $15,300  
Retirement-Social Security$14,100 $7,500  
    
VI. ECONOMIC DECISION MAKING   
    
1) Before separation, was Respondent…   
Active in making decisions88%27% 
Somewhat active 12%31% 
Inactive0%42% 
    
2) During marriage, who decided   
insurance89%13% 
mortgages90%11% 
loans90%9% 
investments88%7% 
retirement77%9% 
children's education66%33% 
credit93%19% 
    
IMPORTANT TOPICS YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT   
VII. AREAS OF CONCERN MALE FEMALE 
    
1) Since separation    
understanding divorce67%83% 
understanding judicial system51%75% 
how to deal with lawyers84%97% 
remarriage questions66%19% 
employment/benefits33%81% 
financial management34%87% 
life insurance45%65% 
health problems -- long term care71%96% 
health coverage74%91% 
disability/long-term care coverage79%95% 
auto insurance5%43% 
h'owners insurance4%32% 
housing41%87% 
moving11%86% 
education of children5%32% 
education/training self2%83% 
credit6%79% 
retirement67%97% 
    
VIII. FAMILY ECONOMIC INFORMATION   
    
1) Family worth (in dollars)   
50,000 - 99,9998%22%445
100,000 - 200,00033%17%818
201,000 - 300,00035%32%1060
301,000 - 400,00014%23%565
more than 401,00010%6%259
    
2) Average family worth ($'s)$234,000 $232,000  
    
3) Knew worth before divorce97%17% 
    
4) Family assets include   
home93%84% 
pension82%67% 
stock77%79% 
savings94%88% 
IRA15%8% 
    
IX. WHAT WOULD MAKE IT EASIER?   
    
1) Improve relationship with lawyer86%90% 
return calls66%78% 
better service52%79% 
better billing67%76% 
better understanding of system82%97% 
more information97%99% 
    
  MALE FEMALE 
2) Learn about effects of divorce   
before the fact55%94% 
topics of interest   
the system71%97% 
how lawyers work89%93% 
dealing with counselors53%56% 
economics of divorce79%98% 
insurance41%97% 
safe investments35%97% 
dealing with salesmen33%97% 
taxes38%93% 
credit27%95% 
custody/visitation16%21% 
making a budget19%90% 
keeping a budget14%94% 
    
3) Find an affordable resource64%92% 
Lawyer75%87% 
Support group31%79% 
Books51%61% 
Workshop with materials87%Email to a Friend
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Suggested Reading:
Separation and Divorce Guidebook
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FS-Be Wary of Credit Issues with Ex
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FS-Becareful of Bargaining Away Alimony As Child Support
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FS-Lawyer Tells Me to Lie & Pension Double Dipped
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FS-On and Off Again Reconciles Can Create Agreement Disasters
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FS-The Dangers of Family Loans
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FS-Transference of Affection & 10 Tips of Divorce
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