Sometimes after years or even decades of marriage a couple in Ann Arbor will decide to divorce. Such divorces are referred to as a “grey divorce” and they are becoming increasingly common. Research has shown that while the overall divorce rate in the U.S. has gone down over the past two decades, the divorce rate of those age 50 and older is on the upswing. The following are some reasons why an older couple may choose to divorce.
Financial issues
Like their younger counterparts, older couples can fight over money, especially if one spouse is a “spender” and the other is a “saver.” If it is only the primary breadwinner who is making most or all of a couple’s financial decisions, this can also lead to resentment and other marital problems.
Drifting apart
As a person ages, their personality, goals and priorities can change. Couples who had common goals and interests in their younger years may find they have less in common as the years go by. This may especially be true once their children have grown and left the house.
Longer lifespans
These days life expectancy is much higher than it had been in generations past. Couples who reach age 50 may anticipate having 20, 30 or even 40 years ahead of them. When contemplating what they want to do with those years, they may decide that staying in an unhappy marriage is not desirable.
Learn more about divorce options
Ultimately, divorce is not limited to younger or middle-aged couples. Older couples may also decide to divorce. However, the divorce issues they face may differ from their younger counterparts. Child custody and child support may not be issues if your children are adults, but issues such as property division and alimony may be of greater concern especially if you are at or nearing retirement. Our firm’s webpage on divorce may be a useful source of information for those in Ann Arbor who are considering a grey divorce.