Most married couples would likely agree that marriage takes work. Some generations ago, the amount of work put in, some might argue, seemed to be higher.
As of 1990 fewer than 1 in 10 people who got divorced were over the age of 50. But over the course of the last two and a half decades, the divorce rate for couples in the United States over the age of 50 has more than doubled. This still remains a lower rate, overall, than the divorce rate for those under 50.
To put it into perspective, as of 2010 one in every four couples in the United States going through a divorce were 50 or older. This is referred to as a Gray Divorce.
Many of these couples are part of the baby-boomer generation. What’s more, most of these marriages have lasted anywhere from two to five decades before they decided to divorce.
Happiness Expectancy
Gray divorce may raise the question as to whether individuals today are expecting to find a higher sense of happiness than their parents and grandparents. There seems to be a trend that couples today are less willing to remain in a loveless, unhappy marriage.
One of the biggest reasons cited for gray divorces is a long period of unhappiness. Couples may have chosen numerous reasons for staying together, but ultimately being unhappy as a couple made one or both of them decide to divorce.
There are several other reasons as to why gray divorce rates have increased so significantly over the last couple of decades. These include:
- Disappearance of the strong stigma of divorce
- A slight shift in the Catholic Church’s stance on divorce
- Increased life expectancy
- Economic gains of women who are now able to survive on their own
- Prevalence of online dating
Differentiating Factors of Gray Divorce
While many may benefit from removing themselves from an unhealthy marriage, there are certain considerations to be taken for older individuals going through divorce, which their younger counterparts may not need to consider quite the same.
It is important to remember the following:
- Alimony is almost always awarded after long-term marriages
- Retirement money is generally cut in half
- Because remarriages are more likely to end in divorce, having a pre-nuptial agreement for the next marriage is a good idea
- The family home will likely become an asset to be valued and split; some spouses prefer to buy out the other spouse’s half instead of selling to a stranger
No matter what brought you to the decision to end your marriage, having sound legal advice is important. Choosing a knowledgeable West Chester divorce lawyer at the Law Office of Deborah M. Truscello can help to make this already difficult transition less distressing.
West Chester Divorce Lawyers at the Law Office of Deborah M. Truscello Help Those Who Are Dealing with a Gray Divorce
If you or a loved one is going through or looking to begin the divorce process, no matter your age, understanding the law and how to protect your best interests is imperative. Finding a knowledgeable and experienced family law lawyer can help you to receive the best outcome. The West Chester divorce lawyers at the Law Office of Deborah M. Truscello serve clients in Delaware County, Media, and West Chester, Pennsylvania from our office in Media, Pennsylvania. For a free consultation and to learn more, contact us online or call us at (610) 892-4940 today.
