Florida couples who are over the age of 50 and filing for divorce are said to be undergoing a “grey divorce.” The rate of this type of divorce has continually increased to double what it was back in the 1990s. Couples might question the reasons behind the increase in grey divorces.
Change in the country’s perspective on divorce
Rewind back about 50 years, and divorce was not a commonly discussed topic. Divorces were not very prominent for any age group. However, the country’s view on divorce has changed over the past half-century. Divorce is more common throughout the nation, and talking about it is no longer as taboo. With not as much stigma surrounding a split, more couples in their older years are taking advantage of this legal process to end an unhappy marriage.
Longer life expectancy
Decades ago, life expectancy rates were much less than where they are now. Couples who are in their 50s and 60s likely have a good 20 or 30 years ahead of them. If they’re in an unhappy marriage, they are more likely to seek a divorce because they have a lot of life left to live.
Planned divorces
For many married couples with children, the idea of divorce was postponed. They stayed together to raise their children through their adult years. Many of these couples planned on getting a divorce once their children were raised. These couples are now starting to approach their later years in life and have decided that it’s time to go through with their planned divorce.
Grey divorce rates are consistently on the rise. The above are just some of the most common reasons that this older population continues to see an increase in divorce rates. If you’re over the age of 50 and thinking about filing for divorce, it’s a good idea to speak with an attorney.