Reasons Older Couples Get Divorced

Why Older Couples Are More Likely to Divorce

According to research from Bowling Green University, the divorce rate for those aged 50 and older has doubled since 1990. At the same time, younger couples are choosing to remain committed to their partners at higher rates. There are many reasons why older individuals may choose to end their marriages, and several of these reasons have nothing to do with hate or spite for their partners.

Parents Stayed Together to Raise the Kids

You may have chosen to stay together with your spouse to provide a stable life for your children. When the kids were fully grown and moved out of the house, there was simply no reason to stay together. It is not uncommon for couples to only realize how far they have drifted apart until after their kids have left. In these instances, there is nothing to distract them from the pitfalls of their marriages.

Women Have Experienced Greater Economic Freedom

Several decades ago, women were seen as homemakers while their husbands provided financial security for the family. Today, it is harder for employers to discriminate against workers based on gender. Therefore, you are more likely to create a greater level of financial security for yourself regardless of your gender. Ultimately, this economic security means that women don’t need to stay in an unhappy marriage for fiscal reasons. Men who initially stayed at home or otherwise made less than their wives may also choose to end a marriage if their circumstances change later in life.

Couples May Simply Want to Pursue Other Interests

There is a chance that you’ll live longer than your parents or grandparents did. This means that you’ll have more time to pursue your love of cooking, traveling or being a business owner. At some point, your spouse may decide that he or she wants to spend more time around the house, playing golf or relaxing on the beach. Eventually, you may decide that you and your partner need to be apart to make the most of your life. The good news is that uncontested divorces are fairly easy to navigate with the help of an attorney.

Health Concerns Could Lead to a Divorce

While it may be hard to imagine leaving a spouse over a health issue, being a caretaker is stressful. In some cases, the level of care that your significant other needs is more than you are qualified or capable of providing. There is also a financial component to caring for a loved one that can add even more stress to a relationship.

Even if you are committed to caring for your spouse no matter what, he or she could experience significant cognitive decline. It is possible that your spouse won’t even remember you, which may make it difficult to remain in a relationship despite your best intentions.

It Could Be Impossible to Overlook a Significant Character Flaw

People tend to start looking toward retirement as they enter their 50s and 60s. As there is less time to save for a comfortable financial future, it can be important to create and stick to a financial plan. However, your spouse may still struggle with a shopping addiction or other vices that are expensive.

These expensive habits could put your mental, physical and financial health at risk at the same time. Therefore, you may decide that it is time to safeguard your future and hope that your spouse will eventually get the help that he or she may need. It is worth noting that money or other marital assets may be divided in some fashion even if they are held in separate accounts.

If you are looking to end your marriage in a timely and relatively amicable manner, the Law Office of Joanne Kleiner may be able to help. Call our office in Jenkintown at (215) 886-1266 to learn more about uncontested divorces or get other insights. You can also send a fax to (215) 886-2670 for more information.