For those over 50, divorce can be just as necessary as it is for a younger couple. Minnesota Public Radio recently looked into a new trend on the rise. Called “gray divorce,” this occurrence strikes empty-nesters and baby-boomers. Rather than getting divorced at a young age, some couples raise their children to adulthood before deciding to break up. Couples also consider divorce later in life because the children are grown. This removes common problems that younger couples face, such as child custody and child support.
The Minnesota Public Radio report explains that when kids go off to college this can uncover underlying problems in some relationships. As a result, according to the report, divorce among these older couples is on the rise. In 1990, fewer than 1 in 10 individuals who divorced were 50 or older. According to the MPR report, that number soared to 1 in 4, numbering more than 600,000 divorces in 2009.
The MPR report gave advice on how to keep a marriage intact, after the kids move out. The couple should communicate often and set aside time to do things that bring happiness individually, but also enjoy time as a couple to support individual interests. The couple should create new traditions to strengthen their marriage. They should work on marital problems that can be resolved and accept chronic issues that they can’t resolve. Couples may consider living apart for a bit, so they can have some space and really learn to appreciate each other when they reunite.
Divorce is never easy for either spouse. It is prudent for any person facing divorce to find an attorney experienced in and who fully understands and will address the difficult issues that arise. Minnesota divorce attorneys will be able to guide you toward a satisfactory resolution to this personal and legal matter.
Source:
minnesota.publicradio.org, “How parents can adjust to an empty nest, avoid ‘gray divorce’” No author given, Aug. 27, 2013
