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The breakdown of your marriage is a significant life event. If you are facing a divorce, you should carefully consider what benefits will be available to you. During a divorce, you may be eligible for specific benefits but may lose access to others. It is important to understand how to go about obtaining or terminating benefits after a New Haven divorce, and a seasoned divorce attorney can help. Dolan Divorce Lawyers, PLLC can consult with you regarding your benefits coverage.

Your Health Insurance Coverage

If you are on your spouse’s employment-based health insurance plan, you are likely to lose the coverage as soon as your divorce becomes final. Some employers maintain coverage until the month ends, but this is the exception rather than the rule.

After your current insurance expires, your options for coverage include COBRA Insurance, an insurance extension program for major life changes. However, this option is generally quite costly and extends only up to 36 months. You have 60 days from the date of your divorce to elect this coverage. Additionally, you can seek insurance through your own employer or through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Securing or canceling health insurance or other benefits is critical, and it is advisable to think carefully about this while your New Haven divorce is pending. The dedicated divorce lawyers from our firm are well prepared to help you.

Considering Social Security Benefits

If your marriage lasted at least 10 years, you are eligible to receive half of your spouse’s Social Security benefits on reaching the age of 62. If your spouse earned considerably more than you in the past and continues to do so, this can translate to a significant increase in Social Security benefits for you. It is important to keep certain things in mind regarding Social Security benefits, including:

  • You must be at least 62 years old to begin collecting on your spouse’s benefits
  • You can begin receiving benefits before your ex-partner does, but they must be eligible for benefits at the time
  • The benefits you receive from your ex-partner’s account will not affect the benefits they receive
  • Your divorce must be final for at least two years before obtaining benefits on your former spouse’s account if they have not applied for their benefits
  • This benefit only applies to increase your social security award if your social security benefit on its own would be less than half of your spouse’s social security benefit—choosing to claim half of your spouse’s social security benefit is in lieu of claiming your social security, not in addition to it

Maximizing your Social Security benefits, as well as attaining or terminating insurance coverage in New Haven, is important for your future after a divorce, and our trusted divorce lawyers appreciate the opportunity to help.

If You Remarry, What Is the Impact on Your Benefits?

If you remarry after a divorce in New Haven, it can determine which benefits will remain in effect or be canceled. For example, if your ex-partner pays alimony to you, the payments will end when you remarry.

In addition, remarriage will end your eligibility to receive half of your former partner’s Social Security benefits. If you receive Social Security benefits based on your own work record, however, remarrying will not affect your benefits after a divorce in Connecticut.

Call an Experienced Lawyer in New Haven for Advice on Obtaining or Terminating Benefits After a Divorce

Obtaining or terminating benefits after a New Haven divorce requires careful consideration for your specific case. Our knowledgeable divorce attorneys at Dolan Divorce Lawyers, PLLC, have years of experience helping clients like you protect their benefits post-divorce and avoid the negative consequences of coverage terminations. For more information about how we can help you, please reach out by giving us a call today.

Connecticut Family Lawyer | CT Family Law | Dolan Family Attorneys N/a
101 Whitney Ave New Haven CT 06510 (203) 720-6874