It is common for couples to divorce between their 20s and 40s. That said, more and more couples are choosing to end their marriages later in life. This trend is known as gray divorce. People who choose gray divorces are typically 50 and older, and the numbers are striking. According to the National Center for Family and Marriage Research, nearly 40 percent of people getting divorced are age 50 or older.
If you are considering a divorce later in life, a Wheaton, IL divorce attorney can help you understand the unique legal and financial factors involved.
Why Are So Many Couples Waiting Until Later in Life to Divorce?
They Want to Wait Until Their Children Are Grown
Some couples stay together for their children’s sake. They tolerate an unhappy or difficult marriage until the kids become independent adults, then decide to move on. This is one of the most common reasons people give for gray divorce. It is worth noting that adult children are not always protected from the emotional impact of their parents’ divorce. Even grown children can struggle with guilt, grief, or divided loyalties when their parents split later in life.