In recent years, there has been a noticeable rise in what is known as “gray divorce,” a term used to describe the separation of couples over the age of 60, especially those that have spent more than 20 years married to each other.

This trend is reflected in several interesting statistics, with gray divorce accounting for 25% of all divorces, and 1 in 10 of these divorces involving individuals aged 65 or older. According to the US Census Bureau, around 39% of adults aged 65 to 74 have gone through a divorce, while nearly a fourth of them, aged 74 and older, have also gone through the process of marital dissolution.

Gray divorce often involves couples who have been married for 20 years or more, and it is increasingly driven by factors such as the empty nest syndrome, stagnant relationships, and evolving societal standards.

Notably, when it comes to the trend of gray divorce and who is initiating it, statistics reveal that women are more likely to want these late-life separations, with over 60% of gray divorces being initiated by women. This shift highlights changing attitudes towards marriage and divorce among older adults, reflecting broader societal changes and evolving personal expectations.

Common Causes of Gray Divorce

While every marriage is unique, a divorce lawyer knows that there are a few common reasons why women over 60 choose to divorce in the United States. These shared factors that can contribute to the decision to end a long-term marriage later in life include:

Empty Nest Syndrome

One of the most common reasons for women to seek divorce later in life is empty nest syndrome. When children grow up and leave home, couples sometimes find themselves facing an empty nest and realizing their relationship has grown distant. Without the shared focus on parenting and providing a stable home environment, they may discover they have little in common and choose to separate.

Growing Apart

Over the years, women can change their interests, values, and life goals, as societal standards and opinions change. If couples grow in different directions and fail to reconnect with each other, they may decide that divorce is the best path to pursue their own forms of happiness.

Financial Independence

As financial stability increases over time, particularly for women, there’s a greater ability to leave an unsatisfying marriage without fearing financial instability. Financial independence allows women to consider divorce as a viable option later in life.

Retirement and Lifestyle Changes

Retirement brings significant changes to daily routines and lifestyles for many couples. For some individuals, spending more time together without the distraction of work can magnify existing tensions or create new issues, leading to the choice to divorce.

Health Issues and Longevity

With longer life expectancy, some women reassess their long-term happiness and may decide they don’t want to spend their remaining years in an unfulfilling marriage. The thought of many more years in an unhappy relationship, instead of pursuing their true happiness, can prompt the decision to divorce.

Desire for Personal Growth and New Experiences

Later in life, some people feel a strong urge to explore new opportunities, experiences, or relationships instead of being in a marriage they aren’t fully committed to. This desire for personal growth and fulfillment can lead to the decision to end a long-term marriage and seek new avenues of happiness.

Infidelity

Infidelity can be particularly devastating at any time in a marriage, but when it occurs later in life, it is often a breaking point. For some, betrayal later in life is the final straw that leads to divorce after many years of marriage.

Dissatisfaction with Long-Standing Issues

Unresolved conflicts, communication problems, or emotional neglect can build up over time, especially in marriages that last over 20 years. When these issues persist without resolution or become worse over time, they can weaken the marriage, ultimately leading to divorce.

What Is the Role of a Divorce Lawyer?