People choose to divorce for many different reasons. Whether it is infidelity, opposing views or simply that they've grown apart, most couples choose to divorce because something isn't working. And while we often think that once you've been married for a long time divorce is out of the question, recent reports show that isn't true.
In fact, the National Center for Family and Marriage Research at Bowling Green State University found that the number of people over the age of 50 getting divorced has doubled in the last two decades to 25 percent. The reasons why aren't entirely surprising.
After being married for decades, some couples find that they have grown apart. They may have raised children together, sent them to college and are now living alone again for the first time in 20 or 30 years. Different from 20 years ago, however, many are deciding that it isn't the life they want and are getting out of it through divorce. Divorce during retirement, however, is different from divorce at 20 or 30.
Mostly, finances are different - more complicated - at an older age. In some cases, one spouse may not have worked in a many years, meaning alimony may come into play. However, members of the older generation don't always have a lot of money on hand. Many people have most of their estate invested in their home, which they may have a hard time selling. And even if it does sell, it probably isn't worth as much as it once was.
Ultimately, divorce is a decision that is personal to each couple who chooses it. Couples shouldn't have to live in a bad marriage. However, if you're divorcing later in life, it's important to seek experienced legal advice to make sure you have your bases covered. Dividing assets from decades of married life can be complicated and complex, so it's best to have someone knowledgeable on your side to protect your interests.
Source: Chicago Tribune, "Post-50 divorce rate doubled in 20 years," Leslie Mann, Feb. 27, 2013
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