If you are getting older and have decided that your marriage isn’t working out, you may be one of many Americans who choose to go through a gray divorce. These divorces, referring to divorces involving people over the age of 50, used to be taboo, but they’re becoming more common over time.
Divorcing is a way to separate yourself from a spouse you no longer connect with on an emotional level. It’s a way for you to move on with your life if you’ve been a victim of abuse or simply have realized that you and your spouse have grown apart.
Gray divorce: A growing type of divorce in the United States
Gray divorces are becoming more common, but there is no single factor that is to blame for that. Things such as women having the freedom to work and being able to be successful in their careers has played a role. Children leaving the nest and leaving parents who no longer have much in common to realize their differences also play a role. Additionally, differences in age, which may become more apparent in older age, could conflict and lead to a gray divorce.
Other common reasons that these divorces are being seen more often include:
- Longer life expectancies
- Postponed divorces (waiting until children “leave the nest”)
- A change in the divorce stigmas in the U.S.
- Stress, such as economic changes, major shifts in politics and other sources
If you have decided to divorce in older age, it’s important that you protect yourself when you do so. The right preparation could help you preserve your retirement, for example, or make sure that you have the support you need to live your life comfortably in the future.
What should you do to prepare for your gray divorce?
Understanding the law and how it applies to your case will help you the most during your divorce. If you and your spouse get along, staying friendly with one another and being reasonable will also help you get the most out of your divorce. Before you suggest divorcing, speak with an experienced divorce attorney. Also, get copies of important documents and identify your assets, so that you are prepared as you start your paperwork.