Older couples divorcing at an unprecedented rate

April 01, 2014

Older couples - those who have been married 10, 20, 30 years or more - are divorcing at a higher rate than ever before, and the so-called "gray divorce" trend shows no signs of stopping. The divorce rate for younger couples has hovered around 50 percent for years now, but the rate at which long-term marriages end has been steadily increasing. According to data compiled by the United States Bureau of Vital Statistics and gathered from the 2010 "American Community Survey," the divorce rate for couples over the age of 50 has more than doubled in the past 20 years.

Possible causes

While there is no singular cause for these marriages to be ending at an unprecedented rate, there are several factors that could be contributing. Our country's economic recovery is one of them. The divorce rate for all couples, including the ones over 50, has increased as the economy has recovered from the "Great Recession" that began in 2007. As couples have become more financially secure during the economic recovery, they feel comfortable enough to split now, but may not have during "lean" financial times.

In addition, our population is growing older, and with life spans now being so high, many people are choosing to divorce rather than spend another 20-30 years with the same person. For many couples, once their children are grown and out of the home, "empty nest syndrome" sets in, causing couples to reevaluate if they share enough common bonds, likes, opinions, interests and attitudes to remain together. If they feel they have grown apart, they might choose to divorce instead of trying to rebuild their relationship from the ground up.

Also of note is society's changing attitude toward marriage. A generation ago, marriage wasn't necessarily seen as an opportunity for self-satisfaction. Nowadays, marriage is seen as a source of enrichment and happiness; people whose marriages don't give them a sense of belonging and gratification are more likely now to walk away in pursuit of their own joy.

Important considerations

While the divorce of a couple in their 50s has many things in common with the divorce of a couple in their 20s, there are some unique considerations that are often present in long-term marriages, including:
- More joint assets and debts, including jointly owned real estate, retirement accounts, bank accounts, vehicles, credit cards and more
- More personal property to divide (furnishings, collectibles, etc.)
- Custody of any children still in the home
- The need for one party to receive alimony/spousal support
- Health considerations for one or both parties
- One or both spouses being on a fixed income due to injury, illness or retirement
- Other special needs of one or both parties or of their children

Reaching out

If you or a loved one is considering divorce - no matter what your age - you likely have many questions about how the process works, what it will cost, whether you will be able to stay in your home and how you will support yourself financially. An experienced family law attorney in your area can address your concerns and give you the guidance necessary to make it through this difficult time.

Article provided by Suzanne J. Noland
Visit us at www.suzannenolandlaw.com