Retirement Divorce Specialist
Pensions, retirement accounts, coastal real estate — North Carolina's equitable distribution requires expertise. This guide shows you what to protect.
Leanne Ozaine, CDFA® & CFP® | Specializing in gray divorce for 50+
Turn Panic Into Power — $97You spent 40 years building retirement savings. Now you're dividing them in 6 months — at an age when there's no second chance.
If you're 65 and give up $200,000 in pension benefits you were entitled to, you're not going to make that back. There's no overtime at this stage. No side hustle. No waiting 15 years for the market to recover.
North Carolina's equitable distribution means "fair" — not 50/50. For Wilmington coastal properties, courts consider purchase timing, appreciation during marriage, and future earning capacity. At 60+ with limited ability to rebuild, getting this division right is everything.
Your pension has survivor benefit options. Your Social Security has spousal and ex-spousal claiming strategies. Your Wilmington beach property has a cost basis that affects capital gains. Every asset has rules — and getting them wrong costs more than you can afford.
You need someone who can project exactly what you'll live on for the next 25 years — before you sign anything you can't take back.
The 5-step system that shows you what you'll actually live on, so you stop guessing and start knowing.
Calculate your real post-divorce income — including spousal support, assets, and earning potential — 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 Wilmington coastal property you can't actually maintain on fixed income.
The asset identification system helps you find retirement accounts, pensions, and property you might not even know exist.
22-page guide + video tutorials + checklists + templates
$97
Instant access. 100% money-back guarantee.
Get the Clarity You Need — $97Q: Can I afford Wilmington beach living after divorce at 60+?
Wilmington beach properties (Wrightsville, Carolina, Figure Eight) run $500K-$2M+, inland Wilmington $350K-$550K. Property insurance (hurricane risk), taxes, and maintenance total $10K-$20K+ annually. At 60+, beachfront solo living requires $60K-$90K+ annual retirement income. Many Wilmington divorcees move inland or to less expensive coastal NC towns to preserve retirement savings.
Q: What about military retirees divorcing in Wilmington?
Wilmington attracts military retirees (nearby Camp Lejeune, former service members). Military pensions follow federal 10/10 rule for division. Many Wilmington retirees also have VA disability benefits (not divisible) but which reduce divisible pension amounts. At 60+, properly structuring military pension division to maximize tax-free VA benefits while fairly dividing retirement income requires specialized expertise.
Q: How does North Carolina equitable distribution affect coastal property?
North Carolina divides marital property equitably (fairly), not 50/50. For Wilmington beach properties, courts consider purchase timing, who paid down payments (separate vs. marital funds), appreciation during marriage, and future needs. At 60+ with limited earning capacity, courts may award unequal splits favoring the lower-earning spouse—especially if they sacrificed career for family.
Q: Is Wilmington more affordable than other coastal retirement spots?
Yes. Wilmington costs less than Charleston SC, Outer Banks NC, or Hilton Head SC—but it's not cheap. Inland Wilmington ($350K-$550K homes) offers coastal access without beachfront premiums. For 60+ divorcees, Wilmington provides beach lifestyle at 20-30% lower costs than premium coastal markets—critical for making retirement dollars last 25-30 years on fixed income.
If you're over 50 and facing divorce in Wilmington, custody battles aren't your concern—your children are grown. Instead, you're dividing Wilmington beach properties, retirement accounts, and coastal assets under North Carolina's equitable distribution.
Wilmington offers coastal charm, historic downtown, and beach access attracting retirees nationwide.
Wilmington attracts retirees seeking beach living:
Coastal property values:
Can you afford Wilmington solo? Inland Wilmington $400K is affordable. Beachfront $700K-$1.5M+ often must be sold post-divorce.
Whether you own beachfront property or relocated for retirement, we provide the guidance you need.
Get the Fearless Divorce Guide — $97Schedule a Strategy Session