Aging Out of Divorce?

 Posted on June 05, 2012 in Divorce

A recent article in the Huffington Post asked the question "Are you too old to get a divorce?"  According to a study by sociologists Susan Brown and I-Fen Lin of Bowling Green State University, the divorce rate among people ages 50 and older has doubled over the past two decades.

Divorce among the new generation of ‘empty nesters' is referred to as ‘gray divorce' and Brown and Lin's research found that although the overall divorce rate has declined, gray divorce has risen to its highest level on record. Moreover, fifty-three percent of the people over 50 now getting divorced have done so at least once before. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Brown says that this past marital history appears to be a driving force. Having been married previously doubles the risk of divorce for those ages 50 to 64. For those ages 65 and up, the risk factor quadruples.

If you're over 50 and considering divorce, experts suggest asking yourself these six questions before making that decision:

1. Do you and your spouse still enjoy each other's company?
2. Are you staying together for the sake of the children?
3. Are you financially independent?
4. Are you able to live on your own?
5. Is romance still a vital part of your relationship?
6. Can you handle the emotional aspects of a breakup?

If you do decide to divorce your spouse, it's essential to contact an experienced DuPage county divorce attorney who can help navigate you through what can be a very complicated legal process. Make sure your rights, and your children's rights, are protected.