Gray Divorce Financial Specialist
Pensions, retirement accounts, real estate — Arizona's 50/50 split requires expertise. This guide shows you what to protect.
Leanne Ozaine, CDFA® | Specializing in gray divorce for 50+
Before You Agree to Anything — $97You spent 30 years building a retirement. Now you're told it gets split "equally" — but your pension is valued differently than your spouse's 401(k). Social Security benefits work differently for spouses versus ex-spouses. And that Sun City home? Its value depends on who can legally live there after divorce. At 62, you can't afford to guess wrong.
Your attorney knows Arizona law — but do they understand QDRO timelines, pension present-value calculations, or how Arizona's community property rules interact with federal retirement benefits? Most divorcing retirees discover these complexities too late, when the settlement is already signed and the mistakes are permanent.
This guide walks you through every retirement asset category — pensions, IRAs, 401(k)s, Social Security claiming strategies — and shows you exactly what to bring to your attorney so nothing gets missed. You'll understand what questions to ask and what answers to expect.
In a divorce, dividing assets is only step one. This helps you understand how those assets will actually support your life.
Calculate your real post-divorce income — including Social Security, pensions, and retirement account distributions — so you negotiate from facts, not fear.
Document gathering checklists tell you exactly what to bring to your attorney — so you walk in prepared, not panicked.
Map out your real expenses as a single person — before you fight for something you can't actually maintain on a fixed retirement income.
Learn how pensions, 401(k)s, and IRAs are valued and divided differently — so you don't trade equal dollars for unequal value.
22-page guide + video tutorials + checklists + templates
$97
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Slow This Down Before It's Final — $97Q: Can I afford Sun City after divorce at 60+?
Sun City homes run $250K-$450K, much more affordable than Scottsdale ($1M-$5M+). Annual costs for comfortable Sun City living: $35K-$50K including property taxes ($2.5K-$4.5K), HOA fees ($1.2K-$2.4K), utilities, insurance, and maintenance. At 60+ on retirement income ($40K-$70K from pensions/Social Security), many can afford Sun City solo. Arizona's no tax on Social Security preserves retirement dollars.
Q: What makes Sun City age-restricted communities unique in divorce?
Sun City and Sun City West require at least one resident to be 55+. In divorce, if the younger spouse is under 55, they cannot remain as sole owner—the home must be sold or bought out by the 55+ spouse. This age restriction limits the buyer pool and can affect resale values. For 60+ couples divorcing, both typically qualify to keep the property, making division simpler.
Q: How does Phoenix compare to California for 60+ divorcees?
Phoenix costs 40-60% less than comparable California markets. Home prices: Phoenix $400K-$500K vs. Orange County $1M-$1.5M. No Social Security tax in Arizona vs. California's 10.9% top income tax rate. For 60+ divorcees on $50K-$80K retirement income, Arizona preserves $5K-$8K+ annually in taxes alone. Many California divorcees relocate to Phoenix metro for retirement affordability.
Q: What about healthcare access in Phoenix for 60-65 year-olds?
Phoenix offers excellent healthcare access—Mayo Clinic Arizona, Banner Health, HonorHealth—critical for 60-65 year-olds before Medicare. Healthcare costs $800-$1,200/month before age 65, but access to world-class medical care matters enormously. Unlike smaller Arizona towns, Phoenix provides comprehensive specialists and services for aging-in-place through your 70s and 80s.
If you're over 50 and facing divorce in Phoenix metro, custody battles aren't your concern—your children are grown and independent. Instead, you're dividing Phoenix real estate, retirement accounts, and assets under Arizona's community property rules with no tax on Social Security benefits.
Phoenix metro offers affordable retirement compared to Scottsdale, with iconic 55+ communities like Sun City and Sun City West attracting retirees nationwide.
Phoenix pioneered active adult retirement communities:
Divorce considerations: Homes in Sun City purchased during marriage are community property (50/50 division). Age restrictions mean post-divorce sales may limit buyer pool.
Phoenix offers much lower prices than Scottsdale:
Community property: All real estate purchased during marriage divided 50/50.
Phoenix offers world-class healthcare critical for 50+ retirees:
Post-divorce healthcare planning is essential, especially if losing spouse's insurance before age 65 Medicare eligibility.
Can you afford Phoenix solo? Phoenix is much more affordable than Scottsdale or California. Many 50+ clients can keep their Phoenix home on one income, especially in Sun City or mid-market areas.
Arizona tax advantages: No tax on Social Security + low income tax (2.5-4.5%) means retirement dollars stretch further than California (10.9%) or New York (10.9%).
Arizona law applies: Community property means 50/50 division. Spousal maintenance available for long marriages.
At 62, you don't get a do-over. Understand exactly what you're entitled to before you sign anything.
Before You Agree to Anything — $97Slow This Down →