People sometimes assume that divorce mostly happens to young couples, perhaps because it doesn’t take that long to figure out you’ve made a mistake. In the first couple years of marriage, you’re going to realize that it’s time to end things. On the other hand, once you’re in your 50s, you’re probably in a secure marriage that is going to last.
But is this true? The statistics say otherwise. For most age groups, divorce rates are declining. This includes younger couples. For those who are 50 and above, though, divorce rates are increasing. The length of the marriage, as it turns out, is no guarantee of true long-term commitment.
Potential reasons for this shift
There could be a lot of reasons for this change. For instance, the social stigma surrounding divorce has changed and no-fault divorce has become possible. Could some of these couples have wished to divorce when they were young and felt unable to do so? Perhaps they’re doing it now because of these changes.
Another reason that financial experts note is that men and women are equally involved in the workplace. This was not always so, and many women felt financially dependent on men — and thus unable to get divorced. They do not feel that way now, and this independence allows for more divorce.
Life expectancy itself could play a role. Though the United States lags behind other equally developed countries, life expectancy is still slowly climbing. With more years to spend, older couples have more time for divorce.
Finally, you must consider the role of second divorces. Couples who get divorced and remarried are more likely to get divorced again. The time that it takes means that this often happens to those in the 50+ age bracket, though not exclusively.
When you get divorced, what steps will you take?
If you fit into this age group, divorce is clearly a possibility. Make sure that you know what legal steps to take if you are heading toward the end of a marriage.