"Gray Divorces" Becoming More Common

 Posted on April 02, 2012 in Divorce

Although statistics show that the overall divorce rate is slightly declining, studies are showing that baby boomers are divorcing at a much higher rate compared to the rest of the population in what have been coined "gray divorces."

According to an article in the Sacramento Bee, census data and other research indicate that people aged 50 or older are twice as likely to divorce than they were 20 years ago, in 1990. In fact, in 2010, the divorce rate was 12.6% for people ages 50-64. One-third of baby boomers are unmarried, and out of those who are recently-divorced, many have a previous divorce as well.

Experts offer many theories for this rising rate of divorces by the over-50 crowd. For one, most have children who are grown and gone, leaving them alone with their spouse for long periods for what may be the first time in a while. As the average life span continues to increase, those in unhappy marriages are less willing to "stick it out," knowing that may mean spending another 30 years in a troubled marriage. Additionally, compared to previous generations, many more baby boomer women have built successful careers and are able to support themselves.

Still, divorcing after a long-term marriage brings with it unique challenges. Older divorcing couples often have significant assets to divide, and the situation can become complex when one spouse stayed home for years to care for children, limiting their job skills and thus ability to make a livable income. In these situations, it's critical for each spouse to be represented by an experienced Chicago divorce attorney.

Couples of any age who are divorcing in Chicago should contact an experienced Chicago divorce lawyer to provide guidance, support, and legal services throughout the entire divorce process.