A significant number of marriages end in divorce. For many reasons, the union does not work out as both spouses intended. While divorce numbers may not surprise most people in Colorado, instances of “grey divorces” do prove surprising.
A grey divorce refers to a marriage dissolving even though the couple may have remained together for decades. The adjective grey implies the spouses have grey hair, as may be the case when both are over the age of 50.
Questions arise regarding why spouses may separate after, say, 30 or 40 years of marriage. Different reasons may exist for the dissolution. One spouse may have a lengthy history of committing adultery, and the other spouse only recently discovered the infidelity. A spouse may develop a substance abuse problem within the past year or so. Chemical dependency issues could lead to physical and emotional abuse.
Financial troubles, however, appear to be the most common reason for divorce. If one spouse has concerns about financial security in retirement, and the other spouse runs up debts or neglects the equity in a home, friction might develop. Being miles apart on financial matters creates troubles because one spouse may feel more worried about the future than the other.
One of the least expected reasons why couple divorce is more prominent than people realize: improved health and life expectancy. A person in excellent health at age 65 may feel he/she can take a new direction in life and start over. A spouse could entertain ideas of an entirely new lifestyle and circle of friends, and a spouse has no part in these new plans.
Anyone dealing with a grey divorce might find speaking to an attorney enormously valuable. There are serious concerns about divorce, such as division of assets, alimony, and more. Addressing such matters in court is usually best left to an experienced attorney.