When Ohio couples have been married for a long time and decide it is time to end the marriage, the term used to describe the process is known as gray divorce. Psychology Today states that gray divorce rates are on the rise, although overall divorce rates for those over 50 are still lower than the average divorce rate. While it used to be that those who had been married for a long time just suffered or white-knuckled through a marriage even after the kids were gone, many more are now opting to start over and go for a second chance at happiness.
Many assume that it is the transitions in life, such as children leaving the home, that lead to discord and discontent in a marriage. Studies show that the marital past is more relevant to divorce rates. You are more likely to divorce if you have done so before in your life. For people over the age of 50, the divorce rate in remarriages is much higher than those in first marriages.
While kids grow up and move on and start their own families, many struggle with their parents divorcing no matter how old they are. Daughters tend to blame their fathers if their parents divorce over the age of 50, and changing dynamics can negatively impact the relationship between a parent and a child. One example of this is a newly divorced mother who has a decreased income from the divorce and requires financial or physical help from the child.
Even when both spouses agree that it is best to move, it is normal to grieve the relationship and the marriage. Grief does not go away immediately and as the anger fades, the sadness may become more prevalent as the person forgets the bad times and remembers the good.
No matter how old you are, if you make the choice to divorce, it will affect the rest of your life. Having a good family law attorney on your side can make all the difference.
This is for educational purposes and should not be interpreted as legal advice.
