Divorce can come at any time. It can be two weeks into your new marriage or two years later. However, when a couple has spent twenty years or more together, divorcing after such a long time has its own set of challenges.

Long-term marriages are those that have lasted for at least 17 years. At this point in time, even making the decision to get a divorce is difficult. After all this time spent together, starting out on your own is not an easy prospect.

Ensure Personal Property Is Still Personal

In a long-term marriage, there is plenty of time for the lines that separate personal and marital property to become blurred. However, the battle of assets is always going to be an issue, whether the marriage lasted for four years or forty years. If you have any assets that you believe are personal, do some checking to ensure there is a clear distinction and no overlap with your marital assets.

Talk Honestly to Your Children

It's likely that after all this time, your kids may already be grown up or in their teens. At these ages, they are old enough to understand what a divorce means for their family. However, this can still be a difficult thing for them to accept. Take some time to talk to them about what's happening.

Consider Counseling for You and Your Children

Counseling is a healthy way to handle the psychological and emotional challenges that come with divorce. Don't underestimate the emotional toll that divorce can take, especially after such a long marriage. Your kids may also benefit from some counseling. You should talk to them about this.

Think About Health Insurance

If your kids are grown up, you may not have to worry about child support. However, at this age, you probably have to deal with a number of health issues. If you were covered under your spouse's insurance, a divorce can leave you with no medical insurance. There is an option that allows ex-spouses to still be covered under their former spouses' insurance for a certain period after the divorce. Take advantage of this if possible.

Consult with an Attorney

Whether or not the case is going to court, it's a good idea to have a divorce lawyer advising you. You may assume that after all the time spent together you're able to work things out on your own, but things can get complicated very fast.