An interesting statistic revealed by divorce law firms today is the number of gray divorces happening each year.

In the past few decades, divorce attorneys have seen a substantial increase in the number of older couples getting divorced.

In fact, divorce lawyers are even noticing that the rate of divorce among older people is continuing to climb while those among younger couples are steadily decreasing.

Why are so many older couples ending their marriages these days?

Learn why by reading this article!

What Is A Gray Divorce?

A gray divorce is a divorce between spouses who are 50 years of age and older.

Originally defined by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), divorce law firms are seeing an increasing number of these divorces as the years pass.

Since 1990, the rate of divorce among older couples has more than doubled, leading to what is known today as the “gray divorce phenomenon.”

Acknowledging this theory, divorce attorneys often refer to recent census reports, which indicate that almost 35% of yearly divorces today are gray divorces.

Why Are There So Many Gray Divorces Today?

According to research delving into the gray divorce developments, divorce lawyers recognize the following reasons why so many older couples are choosing to part ways:

People Are Living Longer Overall - As Americans are now benefiting from longer lifespans, divorce law firms can see that many older spouses who are unhappy in their marriages are reconsidering their futures. Instead of ‘sticking it out’ until the end, spouses who can reasonably expect to live another 20 or 30 years are taking steps to improve their own happiness.
Waiting For The Kids to Grow Up - Couples who decide to “stay together for the kids” often reach that point where they go through with a divorce as empty-nesters, once they have reached their 50’s and 60’s.
Progressing Opinions About Divorce - Between the cultural changes happening and the progressing opinions of various generations, getting divorced is no longer taboo, the way it used to be in the ’70s and ’80s. Divorce attorneys are seeing many older Americans choosing divorce and then cohabitation to have companionship while also staying independent and avoiding the complexities of marriage.
More Remarriages End In Divorce - Another factor that many divorce lawyers are aware of is the failure rate of remarriages, which suggests that up to 60% of remarriages end once again in divorce. Spouses who remarried younger are simply deciding to cut ties once again after having entered their gray years.

Older Spouses Should Consult With An Experienced Divorce Attorney

Getting divorced at any age can be a challenging personal event.

Doing so as a senior can often be even more challenging, as divorce law firms assisting in gray divorces well understand.

With complicated property distribution processes and the emotional factor of dealing with adult children, older spouses should hire a divorce attorney experienced in gray divorces to assist them.

A skilled divorce lawyer can ensure that senior spouses getting divorced can do so in the most favorable manner, receiving their fair share of marital property, retirement benefits, and other assets so they can continue ahead in comfort into their golden years!