Haque Legal · Bloomfield Hills · Oakland County Family Law
Divorce after 50, or after decades of marriage, is different. There is less time to rebuild savings, pensions and retirement accounts are often the largest assets, and decisions about health insurance, Social Security, and the family home have lasting consequences.
Haque Legal represents Oakland County clients in long-marriage divorces with a focus on the financial future. We value retirement assets correctly, draft the orders that actually divide them, and make sure the judgment accounts for support, insurance, and estate planning changes before you sign.
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Reviewed by Fahd S. Haque, Esq., Founder & Principal Attorney · Updated November 5, 2026
Pensions, 401(k)s, and public retirement plans each have their own rules. We make sure the division orders are drafted and entered, not left as loose ends after judgment.
Income in retirement, Social Security timing, health insurance, and the home are planned together, so the settlement supports two households for the long term.
Long marriages often involve significant assets and spousal support. Settlement terms are measured against what a judge is likely to order. Spousal support
Long-marriage divorces affect grown children, family businesses, and property held with relatives. We handle these matters discreetly. Islamic marriage and divorce
Senior Attorney
The firm’s lead family law attorney, licensed in Michigan since 1993. Divorce, custody, parenting time, and support in the Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb County circuit courts.
Associate Attorney
J.D., Wayne State University Law School. Custody, child support formula calculations, post-judgment modifications, and contested parenting time.
Principal Attorney & Founder
Michigan trial lawyer since 2014. Super Lawyers® Rising Stars 2022–2026. Contested custody, divorce, and property division, prepared as though the case will be tried.
Custody
“I was pulled back into court due to a high-conflict situation with my ex, and working with Theresa Rizer made all the difference. She fought hard for me, explained everything clearly, and helped me stay focused. I truly felt like she was in my corner.”Sara Kuhnie, Google review
Litigation
“Attorney Theresa Rizer demonstrated a high level of professionalism, preparation, and clear legal judgment. Her courtroom advocacy was calm, focused, and effective. I felt confident knowing my case was being handled thoughtfully and with attention to detail.”Arvind Sharma, Google review
Divorce
“[Hunter] was my lawyer for my divorce. She was absolutely amazing throughout the entire process. Nothing but good things to say about this law firm.”Angela Paladuk, Google review
The portion of a pension or retirement account earned during the marriage is generally part of the marital estate. Private plans are divided by a qualified domestic relations order; Michigan public plans use an eligible domestic relations order (MCL 38.1701).
Michigan has no fixed formula. Length of the marriage, age, health, earning ability, and needs are weighed (MCL 552.23). Long marriages are more likely to involve longer-term support.
A divorced spouse may qualify for benefits on a former spouse's record if the marriage lasted at least 10 years, the claimant is at least 62, and unmarried. This is a federal benefit, not divided by the court, and it does not reduce the former spouse's benefit.
A spouse covered by the other spouse's employer plan may be able to continue coverage through COBRA for up to 36 months after divorce, at their own cost. Medicare eligibility at 65 changes the planning.
A settlement that splits assets equally on paper can produce very different retirement incomes. A pension paying monthly for life is not the same as a 401(k) of the same present value, and the home is not the same as cash. We compare what each proposal means in monthly income, not only in totals.
Timing also matters: whether a pension is already being paid, whether survivor benefits should be preserved, when each spouse plans to claim Social Security, and how health insurance will be covered until Medicare.
Pension statements, retirement and brokerage accounts, the home, and any business or rental property.
Monthly income for each spouse under each proposal, including Social Security.
Domestic relations orders, deeds, beneficiary changes, and insurance transitions.
The issues are the same as in any divorce, but the weight shifts toward retirement and long-term income.
A pension that is already being paid can still be divided. Survivor benefits may need to be preserved in the order, or they can be lost.
The marital portion is divided by court order or offset against other assets. Amounts earned before the marriage may be separate if traced. Property division
Keeping the home, a buyout, or a sale each has different tax, cash-flow, and maintenance consequences in retirement.
Duration and amount, whether support is modifiable, and what happens at retirement. Spousal support estimator
Health insurance continuation, life insurance to secure support, and long-term care considerations.
Michigan law revokes some provisions for a former spouse after divorce, but not all, and federal law controls many retirement plan beneficiary designations. Update wills, trusts, and beneficiary forms.
Also see: High-asset divorce · Business valuation and separate property · Divorce without children · Property overseas
For court locations, Friend of the Court contacts, and local procedures, see our Oakland County Family Court guide.
Possibly. A divorced spouse may qualify if the marriage lasted at least 10 years, the claimant is at least 62 and unmarried, and certain other conditions are met. The Social Security Administration decides eligibility; the divorce court does not divide Social Security.
Generally only the portion earned during the marriage is part of the marital estate. Benefits earned before the marriage may be treated as separate property. How the marital portion is divided depends on the facts and the agreement.
Yes. A pension in pay status can still be divided by court order, although the options depend on the plan and on choices already made, such as survivor benefit elections.
Long marriages are more likely to involve spousal support, sometimes for an extended period. Michigan has no fixed formula; the court weighs factors such as length of marriage, age, health, earning ability, and need.
If you are covered under your spouse's employer plan, you may be able to continue coverage through COBRA for up to 36 months at your own cost. Medicare begins at 65. Plan for the gap before the divorce is final.
It depends on whether you can afford it on retirement income and whether it is worth giving up other assets. A home can be emotionally important but cost more to keep than its share of the settlement suggests.
Yes. Michigan law revokes some provisions for a former spouse after divorce, but many retirement accounts and life insurance policies are controlled by beneficiary forms and federal law. Update them after the judgment.
Without minor children, the minimum waiting period is 60 days. Cases with pensions, businesses, or contested support usually take longer because valuation and disclosure come first.
Yes. The initial consultation is free. We explain fees for your situation at that meeting, before you decide whether to hire the firm.
Official references: MCL 552.23, support and property · MCL 552.9f, waiting periods · MCL 38.1701, eligible domestic relations orders · Social Security, benefits for divorced spouses · U.S. Department of Labor, COBRA
Bring recent pension and retirement statements, the last two years of tax returns, mortgage and property information, and any prenuptial agreement. You do not need every record before speaking with us.
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