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Gray Divorce

The trend of increasing divorce rates among older couples, has led to the use of the term "gray divorce."

According to research by sociologists Susan Brown and I Fen Lin who coauthored the paper "The Gray Divorce Revolution", the divorce rate among people aged 50 and over has doubled over the past twenty years. The paper goes on to state that in 2009, one in four people who divorced was 50 years old or older.

There has not been enough research done to give a clear explanation for the gray divorce phenomenon. Some speculate that baby boomers married with different expectations than did their parents or grandparents. For middles aged people the stigma of divorce has by and large been eliminated. Sociologists contend that empty nesters are realizing that they no longer have anything in common with their spouse. They are recognizing that they may have many more years ahead of them and they want to be happy and fulfilled.

So they divorce. And when they do they are faced with issues very different than those divorcing in their 20's, 30's or 40's. The most important factors when older people divorce include:

gray divorce
  • Financial issues such as equitable distribution, spousal support and retirement planning. Those getting a "gray divorce" may have accumulated more wealth over time. It is essential to accurately calculate the value of their assets including businesses, stock, bonds and mutual funds, and homes.
  • Medical issues such as continued medical insurance coverage, disability insurance and healthcare in general all need to be dealt with.
  • Family issues while different than those of younger people still exist. Just because the children are adults doesn't mean that they aren't impacted by the divorce.

When dealing with the financial and emotional issues of gray divorce it's important to have the right team of professionals in place to help structure the divorce agreement. At the end of the day there is no reason that a gray divorce has to be a roadblock to a happy and secure life.

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