One of the most rewarding aspects of being an elder law and estate planning attorney is that I get to develop strong relationships with my clients. To create a sound plan, I need to know my clients well. Many clients often become close friends, and we talk about a wide range of personal matters. Some of these conversations even turn to the problem of re-entering the world of dating as a senior. Now, I’m not much of a matchmaker, but I did find an article in the New York Times that provides a wealth of information on the topic.
Romance isn’t just for teenagers… (Photo credit: Ed Yourdon)
First of all, if you are a senior looking for a date this Friday night, you are hardly alone. Approximately 45 percent of people age 65 and older are separated, divorced, or widowed, according to the AARP. And people over the age of 60 are the fastest growing online dating demographic. In fact, AARP Dating has teamed up with a website called HowAboutWe to provide suggestions for offline dates, and the site has nearly 60,000 followers.
While there is no shortage of dating websites out there (eHarmony, Match.com, and JDate to name a few), many seniors simply aren’t comfortable with looking for relationships online, or don’t use the Internet at all. Another option is professional matchmakers, of which there are some 3,000 in the United States. About 90 percent of them work with seniors, but not necessarily exclusively.
Clearly, there are plenty of resources out there to help seniors find that special someone. However, according to the article in the Times, many seniors who do find someone they enjoy spending time with are reluctant to remarry. Why? Some are worried that the other person might simply be “after their money.” Others are concerned about the implications remarriage can have for their children’s inheritance. These are valid concerns. If you are in a serious relationship and considering remarriage, I invite you to call me for a consultation. I can show you a number of ways to protect your assets, including a prenuptial agreement.
In the meantime, if you’re just looking for advice on senior dating, I strongly recommend that you click on the link below to read the full article in the Times. You’ll be surprised by how many people share your concerns about re-entering the dating world and what they are doing about it.
New York Times Article: Matchmakers For Those Over 60