It’s safe to say that spouses never wed with the expectation that the marriage will falter many years later. However, these days, more and more older spouses in Colorado are deciding to divorce. In fact, recent statistics have indicated that the divorce rate for couples aged 50 and older has nearly doubled in the last 30 years. The phenomenon is known as gray divorce. Here are a few things that could be behind the rise in late-life divorce.
Longer life expectancy is one reason for the rise in gray divorce. Americans these days are more health conscious and, when combined with advancements in medicine and technology, longer life spans are the result. Those who are 65 can often expect to live another 20 years or more. It seems senior adults are coming to the realization that they have many years left and are no longer willing to stay married to a person they are no longer happy with.
In America, many marriages are kid-centric, meaning the children are the central focus of the marriage rather than the spousal relationship. Marriages that revolve around children will usually leave less time for spouses to nurture their relationship. As a result, intimacy fades. Once the kids grow and leave the nest, spouses without a strong foundation and solid connection often feel like they’ve grown apart and decide to separate.
Back when many older adults tied the knot, gender roles were more defined and marital breakups were frowned upon. However, as society evolved in America, the stigma surrounding divorce all but disappeared. Spouses often find they have no reason to stay in an unfulfilling marriage. Those in Colorado who are contemplating a marital breakup may want to consult a legal representative. An experienced divorce attorney can help any individual understand the divorce process and answer questions they may have about their personal situation.