The Rise Of Gray Divorce In Alaska

There are many reasons why a growing number of people over the age of 50 are filing for divorce in America.

While most couples utter the words, ’till death do us part,’ as part of their marriage vows, many people fail to follow through with that commitment. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that more than 50 percent of all U.S. marriages end in divorce. Greater still is the increase in divorces involving couples that are over the age of 50, also known as gray divorce. As the baby boomer population continues to age in Alaska and across the country, instances of divorce in this age bracket continue to rise.

Decades ago, it was highly unusual for a couple that had been married for 30 to 40 years to file for divorce. Research conducted at Bowling Green State University and published in the Huffington Post found that in 1990, one in 10 couples over the age of 50 got divorced. In 2009, however, that number jumped to one in four couples, or over 600,000 people. The study predicted that the number of gray divorces could exceed 800,000 by the year 2030 at this rate of growth. Furthermore, people in this age group who are involved in their second or third marriage are 150 percent more likely to file for divorce than those in their first marriage.

Reasons For Divorce

The increased population of people over the age of 50 is not the only thing to blame for the rising number of gray divorces. Financial stability is also considered a contributing factor to this phenomenon, as reported by AARP. Years ago, more spouses were dependent on one another to make ends meet. The current job market enables more women to find employment and gain their financial independence. Not only does this financial independence allow women to support themselves, but they are able to afford a divorce.

Americans are enjoying longer lives. With this increased longevity, some people may decide to get divorced rather than spend their remaining years in an unhappy marriage. This can happen when a spouse retires, and begins to spend more time at home. People may find that they don’t have as much in common anymore, and may seek out companionship with someone who shares similar interests.

Empty nest syndrome is another common reason for gray divorce, according to Communities Digital News. Parents who base their lives around their children may find it difficult to relate to one another once the children move away. Furthermore, some parents stay together only until their kids have grown and left the house. Once their job is accomplished, they may decide to move on and file for divorce.

Finding Legal Assistance

Not all people want to file for divorce. For some people over the age of 50, getting a divorce can have serious implications on their financial and emotional wellbeing. An attorney in Alaska may be helpful in looking at all of your legal options and may minimize the impact that the divorce has on your finances. An attorney may also ensure that you receive everything that you are entitled to in the divorce settlement.

Keywords: divorce, gray divorce, retirement, assets