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Why divorce doesn’t get easier with age

On Behalf of | Sep 10, 2018 | Divorce

Children of divorce in Virginia and throughout America are more likely to get divorced themselves. However, it doesn’t mean that they will get divorced or that it makes ending a marriage any easier. Since 1990, the divorce rate for older Americans has gone up while it has gone down overall. For those over the age of 65, the rate of divorce has tripled since 1990.

The length of a marriage and whether a person has been married in the past could be factors in whether a gray divorce will take place. Older people may also be more prone to seeing their marriages end after their children leave home or they retire from a job that they enjoyed. It is important to understand that while it may be socially acceptable, a divorce later in life can have negative consequences for a person and his or her family.

Those who are divorced later in life may have a harder time making ends meet in retirement. They could also be at a higher risk of being lonely as they age. Adult children may also have a hard time adjusting to the fact that their parents are no longer together. Therefore, it may be worth helping friends or family members work to preserve their marriages as opposed to watching them walk away from their spouses.

Individuals who get divorced might have questions about the property division process or how to obtain spousal support. An attorney may answer questions about those and other topics. A divorce attorney may also be able to review a prenuptial agreement or any other documents that may be relevant to a divorce proceeding. Individuals might settle their divorce through mediation or private talks or opt to have a formal trial to resolve their differences.

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