Gray Divorce Financial Specialist
Pensions, retirement accounts, real estate — Rhode Island's equitable distribution requires expertise. This guide shows you exactly what you're entitled to.
Leanne Ozaine, CDFA® & CFP® | Specializing in gray divorce for 50+
Turn Panic Into Power — $97If you're over 50 and facing divorce in Rhode Island, you're likely dealing with something most people don't talk about: the complete shift in your financial future when child-related issues are no longer the focus. Your children may be grown and financially independent, which means your entire divorce becomes about protecting and dividing decades of accumulated wealth.
This is especially overwhelming if you've never personally managed the household finances—and you're certainly not alone. Many of our Rhode Island clients are navigating complex financial decisions for the first time during divorce, often involving coastal property in Newport or Narragansett, healthcare benefits from major employers like Brown University or Rhode Island Hospital, financial services assets, or legacy wealth from the jewelry manufacturing era.
Why Rhode Island is different: Rhode Island uses equitable distribution (not the strict 50/50 split of community property states), which gives courts more flexibility—but also more unpredictability. As the nation's smallest state with a progressive income tax and unique coastal retirement culture, Rhode Island presents distinct financial planning challenges and opportunities.
The fear-to-strength progression: Right now, you might be feeling panic about losing your waterfront property or half of everything you've worked for. That's normal. But here's what we do together: we turn that panic into power by understanding exactly what Rhode Island law means for YOUR situation, protecting your separate property, and building a post-divorce financial plan that gives you confidence and security.
Here's what nobody tells you: A "fair" settlement can still leave you struggling.
50/50 sounds equal. But if you take the house and your spouse takes the 401(k), only one of you has retirement income. A pension isn't cash. Tax treatment turns "half" into 40% or 60% depending on which half you take.
Your lawyer knows the law. They don't know what you'll live on for the next 30 years.
Most people sign their settlement while still in emotional shock. The brain is in survival mode — the prefrontal cortex that makes rational decisions is literally offline. By the time the fog lifts, the settlement is final.
You need someone whose only job is protecting your financial future — not billable hours, not legal posturing. Someone who can show you exactly what different settlement scenarios mean for your life 5, 10, 25 years from now.
When you can't trust anyone else in this process, you can trust me.
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 something you can't actually maintain.
The asset identification system helps you find accounts 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 — $97Here's what that really means for your situation: Unlike California or Texas where community property rules apply, Rhode Island courts divide marital property based on what's "fair" under your specific circumstances—not automatically 50/50.
What counts as marital property in Rhode Island:
What counts as separate property in Rhode Island:
The equitable distribution factors Rhode Island courts consider:
Unlike many states, Rhode Island courts MAY consider marital misconduct when dividing property.
Rhode Island is one of the few states that still allows fault-based grounds for divorce and permits courts to consider marital misconduct when determining property division and spousal support.
What this means:
For gray divorce: While fault-based divorce is less common today, understanding that Rhode Island courts CAN consider misconduct is important if you're dealing with infidelity, financial dishonesty, or other serious marital issues.
Rhode Island's coastal property—from Newport's historic neighborhoods to Narragansett's beach communities—has appreciated dramatically over recent decades. For many gray divorce cases, waterfront or water-view property represents the largest marital asset.
Critical real estate considerations:
For those new to finances: Your home equity is what you own after subtracting the mortgage. If your Newport condo is worth $800,000 and you owe $200,000, you have $600,000 in equity. Dividing this fairly while considering who can afford to keep the property requires careful analysis.
Rhode Island has exceptional educational and healthcare institutions—Brown University, University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island Hospital, Lifespan, Care New England—and employment at these institutions often comes with valuable benefits that complicate divorce.
Healthcare and education sector divorce issues:
Brown University specific note: Brown employees often have complex compensation packages including retirement plans, tuition benefits, and valuable university perks. Faculty members may have book royalties, research grants, or consulting income that needs careful analysis.
Rhode Island has a significant financial services presence, particularly in Providence. Employees at Fidelity Investments, Citizens Bank, Bank of America, and other financial institutions often have complex compensation packages.
Financial services divorce considerations:
Tax implications: Stock compensation and deferred comp have complex tax consequences. Taking stock options in a divorce settlement may trigger immediate taxation—understanding the after-tax value is critical.
Rhode Island was once the jewelry manufacturing capital of America. Many gray divorce clients have family wealth or retirement benefits stemming from this legacy industry.
Jewelry industry considerations:
Documentation is key: If you're claiming inherited wealth is separate property, you need clear documentation tracing the asset from inheritance through today.
For gray divorce, retirement accounts may be your largest asset—and Rhode Island law says the marital portion gets divided equitably.
Critical considerations:
For those new to finances: A QDRO is a Qualified Domestic Relations Order—a special court order that allows retirement account division without triggering taxes or penalties. Without a QDRO, dividing a 401(k) could cost you 30-40% in taxes and penalties.
If you've been married 10+ years, you may be entitled to Social Security benefits based on your ex-spouse's earnings record—even if you never worked outside the home or earned significantly less. This is federal law, not Rhode Island law.
Key benefits:
Critical timing: When you start Social Security significantly impacts your lifetime income. This is an essential part of your post-divorce financial plan.
Rhode Island law provides for spousal support to help maintain the standard of living established during marriage, particularly in long-term marriages where one spouse sacrificed career advancement for family responsibilities.
Types of spousal support in Rhode Island:
Statutory factors Rhode Island courts consider:
Duration and modification:
Critical considerations when you're approaching or in retirement:
If you're the potential recipient:
If you're the potential payor:
For those new to finances: Spousal support is monthly payments from one spouse to another after divorce. In gray divorce, support becomes critical because you may have limited time to rebuild income before retirement. Under current federal law (post-2018 divorces), spousal support is NOT deductible by payor and NOT taxable to recipient.
Providence has undergone a remarkable renaissance over the past 25 years, with neighborhoods like the East Side (College Hill, Fox Point, Blackstone) representing significant concentrated wealth tied to Brown University, RISD, and healthcare.
Common gray divorce issues:
East Side property specifics: The East Side commands premium prices due to proximity to Brown, RISD, and historic architecture. Understanding neighborhood-specific property values and appreciation is essential for fair division.
Newport, Narragansett, Jamestown, and other coastal communities are retirement destinations for many gray divorce clients. Coastal property division presents unique challenges.
Coastal property considerations:
For gray divorce: Can you afford to maintain a coastal property on one income? Insurance, taxes, maintenance, and utilities in Newport or Narragansett can easily exceed $30,000-50,000 annually even with no mortgage.
Looking for information specific to your area? Explore our metro-specific page:
Rhode Island has a progressive income tax system with rates ranging from 3.75% to 5.99%. While not as high as California or New York, state taxes matter significantly for your post-divorce financial planning.
Key tax considerations:
Rhode Island's Social Security tax: Rhode Island is one of the few states that taxes Social Security benefits, though there are exemptions based on income level. If your federal adjusted gross income exceeds certain thresholds, your Social Security may be taxable. This affects post-divorce retirement planning significantly.
For gray divorce: Tax planning becomes crucial when you're living on fixed retirement income. Understanding which assets are pre-tax (traditional 401k/IRA) vs. post-tax (Roth accounts, taxable investments) affects the true value of your settlement.
Rhode Island courts take economic misconduct seriously, and because Rhode Island considers marital fault, financial dishonesty can significantly impact both property division and spousal support.
Common forms of economic misconduct:
How to protect yourself: Document everything. Bank statements, credit card statements, tax returns, and financial records become critical evidence if you suspect misconduct. As a financial professional, I can help you identify red flags and work with your attorney to build a strong case.
Rhode Island advantage: Because Rhode Island courts can consider fault, documented financial misconduct may result in a more favorable property division and spousal support award for the innocent spouse.
You don't have to navigate Rhode Island divorce finances alone. Let's turn your fear into financial strength.
Turn Panic Into Power — $97 Get the Clarity You Need