You married your college sweetheart 25 years ago. You both had big plans and were hoping for the fairytale ending. Now, in your 50s, you are unhappy and you’re considering divorcing your spouse. When people in their 50s and 60s get divorced after many years of marriage, it is called a gray divorce.
Dubbed the “gray divorce revolution” by researchers at Bowling Green State Unversity in Ohio, the rate of divorce in this age group has been on the rise since 1990 and is at an all-time high today.
Why has gray divorce become so prevalent?
There are a variety of reasons that gray divorce has become so prevalent:
- Couples who are unhappy sometimes stay together for the sake of their children. Once the children have grown and left you with an empty nest, you and your spouse may decide to divorce.
- Infidelity is often a catalyst for divorce, and it can affect any age group.
- Disagreements about finances between the two of you may have been going on for years. As you approach retirement age, you may decide that you cannot deal with this situation any longer.
- There’s no longer a social stigma that makes it uncomfortable to divorce. People simply no longer believe in staying in unhappy marriages.
Making a decision to divorce in your 50s or 60s can lead to some unexpected changes. Your social life may drastically change as friends and family choose sides. You could end up losing relationships that you once enjoyed with your ex-spouse’s family and friends.
Divorce is never easy. Getting divorced after 25 years of marriage is even more difficult because there is a lot more to sort through and many more assets to divide up as opposed to a young couple who get divorced. Seeking experienced legal guidance can help you to navigate through this difficult time.