Gray Divorce: After 50

There was a recent article in the Los Angeles Times addressing the growing rate of divorce in later years of marriage.  The article summarizes statistics showing this is a large segment of the divorcing population.  And it continues to increase. The article outlines a number of potential reasons for this growing phenomenon:

1. As people live longer, there is more years after the children leave the home and retirement to enjoy life.  People find themselves less likely to be complacent and stay in an unhappy relationship that could last for 20 or more years.
2. As the retiring generation has found more financial success, there are more resources available in later years allowing individuals to feel more comfortable living independently. They also have more resources to enjoy their lives.
3. Empty nest is a time when parents focus no longer points towards the children and it may coincide with having lost connection with the spouse. So many years of dedication to the children can lead to less time to focus on the marriage.  Once the children leave, there may no longer be a functional marriage.
4. Parents feel that adult children may cope better with divorce as they have their own lives and means.
5. Societal comfort and acceptance of divorce has made it more tangible for older adults.

The article outlines the reasons why divorce is happening in the older generation. How they divorce, however, is not discussed. My collaborative practice has also seen an increase in gray divorce clients.  By choosing an efficient, non-adversarial process, clients can preserve their resources and proceed in an amicable manner.  Outcomes are often more easily reached when clients commit to a collaborative process. To learn more about divorce processes regardless of your age, contact me.