Colorado, like the rest of the country, is experiencing a surge in the rate of divorce in couples over the age of 50. Even though the overall divorce rate in the country is steady to decreasing, it is on the rise for older couples. This term is known as a “gray divorce,” and it presents equally as many issues as a divorce of younger couples even though children may not be involved.
Many couples fail to make it past the first seven years of marriage as they struggle to adjust to life together. Thus, there is a high divorce rate in new married couples but it subsides in the intermediate years of the union. However, once married couples begin to come to grips with their mortality and the fact that they only have a certain number of years left, they begin to reassess their marriage.
Older married couples are increasingly coming to the realization that they do not have to suffer in a bad relationship for the rest of their lives. Many are less afraid of being alone and do not feel as they have to make a choice between an unfulfilling marriage and solitude for the rest of their lives. In addition, divorce has become more socially accepted so there is less of a fear of what others think.
There are many issues for couples who are divorcing over the age of 50. Since they have likely accumulated property and assets and have retirement accounts, there are questions about the division of marital assets. A divorce lawyer might be able to answer any inquiries regarding how the divorce laws would impact a marital estate. Divorce has much uncertainty and family lawyers may help remove some of it by educating people about the process.