If you are unfamiliar with the term “gray divorce,” it is a term coined by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) that refers to divorces that involve individuals who are 50 years of age or older. Most of the couples involved in a gray divorce have been married for over 20 years. While the overall divorce rate in this country has declined in recent years, the divorce rate in the over-50 population has doubled. Researchers predict that gray divorce rates will triple by 2030. If you and your spouse are considering a divorce, you are urged to contact a highly skilled divorce lawyer who understands the unique issues that older couples face during a divorce.
What Are the Most Common Reasons for Gray Divorces?
While older couples divorce for some of the same reasons as younger couples, there are other factors that are unique to this particular demographic. The following are some of the most common reasons why Baby Boomers file for divorce:
- Empty nest syndrome: When children leave home to go to college, or start their career, the transition can be difficult for a couple, particularly if they have grown apart over the years. Oftentimes, the couple discovers that the children are the only thing holding their marriage together, and now that the kids are no longer living at home, the marriage is not working.
- Financial issues: When an older couple is approaching retirement, and they disagree about important financial issues like investments, budgeting and spending habits and how to live on a fixed income, tensions can grow. There are significantly more women in this age range who are financially independent, and who do not need to stay in an unhappy marriage for financial security.
- Growing apart: It is common for people to grow, change and evolve as they get older. In some cases, couples find that they have grown apart, and they no longer share the same interests.
- Lack of intimacy: If either party feels that there is a lack of physical or emotional intimacy, and their partner is unwilling to address the issue or consider making compromises, they may file for divorce.
How Can I Move Forward After a Gray Divorce?
According to the AARP, over 65 percent of gray divorces are initiated by women, 39 percent by men and only 15 percent of couples jointly decide to pursue a divorce. Whether you or your spouse initiated the divorce, you may wonder how to move on after the divorce has been finalized. The following tips will help you prepare for the divorce and transition to life after divorce:
- Socialize with friends and family and avoid spending too much time alone.
- Consider taking on a new hobby or participating in new activities. This will keep you busy and engaged, which means you will have less time to think about the divorce.
- Make your physical and mental health a top priority. It is common to feel lonely, abandoned, angry and sad after a divorce, even if the divorce was amicable. Taking care of your mental health is just as important as maintaining your physical health.
- Hire a skilled and experienced divorce lawyer who can help you navigate the unique challenges that can arise during a gray divorce.
Whitehouse Station Divorce Lawyers at Tune Law Group, Attorneys at Law, Assist Clients with Gray Divorces
If you and your spouse have decided to file for divorce after a long-term marriage, you are urged to contact the Whitehouse Station divorce lawyers at Tune Law Group, Attorneys at Law. We will assist you with every phase of the divorce process, ensure that your legal rights are protected and negotiate the best possible settlement. To schedule an initial consultation, call us today at 908-434-1061 or contact us online. We serve clients in Whitehouse Station, Tewksbury, and throughout Hunterdon County and Monmouth County.