Divorcing after a long marriage can be difficult, but that doesn’t mean that it’s impossible. In fact, the number of gray divorces, which are divorces involving those 50 and older, is growing. Since the 1990s, gray divorce rates have doubled, showing that sometimes, age and time spent together have nothing to do with the likelihood of staying married.
When a long-term marriage ends, it may be because of one of several reasons such as problems that happened years before or financial problems. Age gaps may also play a role as younger partners scoff at the idea of staying home with an older partner in retirement during a prime time in their lives.
It’s Possible to Divorce When You’re Older
Divorcing when you’re older is possible, even though there are different aspects of your life that you’ll need to consider. For example, you may need to closely look at your retirement plan and determine if you’ll be able to retire on time if you divorce your spouse.
Gray Divorces Can Still Have an Impact on the Kids
One thing that some people don’t realize is that a gray divorce may still have an impact on your adult children. Even though your children may have grown up and left the nest, that doesn’t mean that seeing their family in disarray won’t be upsetting.
Navigating your adult children’s emotions during this time could be tricky, but you likely won’t need to be concerned about custody. If your children are still in college, though, then you want to discuss what you’ll do with college funds, if you planned to provide them.
Consider All the Options Before Divorcing in Later Life
There are plenty of things to consider before you get divorced in later life, but if you and your spouse no longer see eye-to-eye and know that the end of your marriage is here, there is support available.
Taking steps to end your marriage and get through your divorce may help you plan for a new, single life on your own where you are able to explore what makes you happy and live more comfortably on your own.