While overall in the United States the divorce rate has leveled off or dropped, in the last three decades, the rate of divorces for those 51 and older has doubled. Moreover, it’s even higher for those 66 and older. These findings were confirmed by sociologists at Bowling Green State University.
Why is this so? The times, they are a’changin’, and where once discontented couples consigned themselves to their lot in life, tethered to a partner in a loveless marriage, today’s couples appear to want more out of their lives. Once the kids are reared and on their own, couples are taking a good, long look at their marriages and reassessing their options.
There is another factor that likely is influencing this trend. The stigma that once surrounded divorce has largely disappeared. Even Pope Francis has relaxed the Church’s stance somewhat on divorcing couples.
Women are also not as economically dependent upon their husbands as they were in generations past. Often, the woman earns a salary equal to, or greater than, her husband’s. She doesn’t need to choose between remaining in a stagnant marriage or facing a life of abject poverty.
Regardless of the reasons, if you are considering a so-called “gray divorce,” you still need to have all of your financial ducks in line. You likely will be able to qualify for spousal support when leaving a long-term marriage.
But you must remember that, once divorced and single, you will be living on less income with the same monthly bills. Before jumping head-first into the divorce pool, it is prudent to consult both a financial adviser and a Nashua family law attorney who can apprise you of your fiscal and legal options.
Source: Forbes, “Gray Divorce: ‘Til Death Do Us Part?,” Neale Godfrey, accessed Dec. 29, 2017
