The new alimony law is slowly making its way through the legislature.  It has not been signed by the governor as of the date of this blog.  Things could change in the analysis below, but this is where it stands:

To modify child custody in the State of Florida one must prove a substantial change in circumstances since the entry of the last order addressing custody and that the substantial change in circumstances now shows the best interest of another parent to take custody.  This standard is used to modify a time sharing arrangement in any way. 

Think of a recent conflict with your ex. Did you struggle to say, or not say, the right thing? Did you become frustrated and feel your heart rate beginning to rise? Perhaps your emotions took over as you tried to convince the other person to see things your way, causing a shouting match. Whether you deal well with it or not, conflict is part of life. While some situations are easily solved, other issues close to your heart become ongoing or recurring conflicts that never result in a solution.

You wanted both your marriage and your savings for retirement to last your entire life. When divorce occurs, especially after the age of 50, it disrupts every aspect of your life. Just because your marriage did not turn out like you originally planned, that does not mean you are a bad person or that you are going to be unable to enjoy a comfortable retirement. Focus on the positive things you have accomplished in your life, learn from mistakes, understand how divorce affects a retirement plan, and after assessing your situation, you will be better prepared to map out the next phase of your life.