If you haven’t watched Grace and Frankie on Netflix, you absolutely should! No really, do it right now. We’ll wait…. See? Wasn’t that great?! Hilarious, relatable characters, great dialogue, and loads of funny and thought-provoking scenarios. All in all, a great show. But what makes this one so singular, is the premise – two older women grappling with the unexpected changes in their lives brought on by divorce.

As you now know (because you took our advice and marathon-watched all four seasons before reading the rest of this article, right?) the very first episode of the series opens with classy, high-maintenance Grace (Jane Fonda) and ‘New Age’, hippie Frankie (Lily Tomlin) meet their law partner husbands for dinner at a restaurant. The two women can’t stand each other, and don’t think they have anything in common. Until their husbands announced that they’re both going to file for divorce and get remarried… to each other!

Walk a mile in Grace and Frankie’s shoes…

Imagine yourself in that situation. Your marriage has suddenly imploded. You’ve lost your spouse, and the last two or three or even four decades of your life seems suddenly meaningless. Your retirement, as you envisioned it, has vastly decreased. Your savings for the golden years are about to shrink to half their size. And then there’s the fact that you’re getting on in years, which makes earning a living even harder. Especially if you’re already retired and are forced to re-enter the workforce just to pay the bills.

Many women have been in this exact scenario. Left stranded by a long-term spouse who replaced them with someone else, and they suddenly discover they’re facing old age without the financial and emotional security they envisioned having. And yet, while it’s heartbreaking and frustrating, it doesn’t have to be the end of the world! There is life after divorce. But in the moment, it can sometimes be hard to see that!

Both Jane and Lily can relate to the characters they play.

In an interview with the Washington Post, Jane Fonda points out that she’s been married three times and can sympathise with Grace. “I know what it feels like to have the rug pulled out from under you, and to feel like your life is over and consider suicide and all that kind of thing. So I kind of identify with what happened to Grace and Frankie; I know what that feels like.”

And she’s not the only one. Loads of women can identify with the pair and what it feels like to be ‘discarded’ by a spouse later in life. But she goes on to point out that you should never give up hope. “I also know that, like what happened in the series, you shouldn’t give up…. You think you’re being broken, but actually you’re being broken open, and life can get way better than you ever expected after the huge tragedy happens.”

Don’t let divorce get you down!

Divorce can be really challenging, especially when it comes out of left field like that. Feeling abandoned and unwanted can take a toll on your emotions. And then there’s the unexpected expenses, like lawyer’s fees, and having to divide up your assets. It can be a really rough time. But it’s not the end of the road.

At The Kronzek Firm, our skilled family law attorneys have decades of experience helping people all over Michigan to work through their divorces. We have worked with countless spouses as they navigate the process of asset division, child custody, and alimony. We can help you too. We are available 24/7 at 866 766 5245. Call us today and discuss your situation with someone who can help.