Gray divorce is a term used to describe the increase in late-in-life divorces. It is typically used to describe divorces of people aged 50 or older.
The number of gray divorces has been increasing steadily since 1990 and shows no signs of slowing down.
Why has gray divorce become more common?
There are a few reasons gray divorce numbers are increasing. The most common reasons cited in these cases include the following:
- People are living longer
- Both spouses work and gain financial independence
- The stigma of divorce has shifted
Many people state that as couples become empty nesters and their focus changes from their children to each other, they realize the relationship is not what it used to be. Rather than spending the remainder of their lives with each other and unhappy, they pursue a divorce.
What to know if going through a gray divorce
When filing for a gray divorce, unique factors must be addressed compared to when younger couples divorce. One issue is the division of retirement benefits. Another is beneficiary confusion and even the fact that since older couples have likely been married longer, they probably have more marital assets to split.
While this is true, most late-in-life divorces don’t include child custody or child support issues since most children will be adults and are not a factor in the legal proceedings.
Understanding your rights in a gray divorce
Even if a gray divorce has more issues to deal with, it is not impossible to achieve a fair outcome. Learning your legal rights and how to move forward with the divorce process without issues is best. This will ensure you can move forward and enjoy the remainder of your life.
