Michigan couples who have been married for more than 30 years may have seen the headlines reporting that divorce rates for those over the age of 50 have continued to climb. While the number of divorces for those over the age of 50, called gray divorces, have risen, the risk of divorce is not the same across all demographics.
First, it is important to note that the divorce rate for those over the age of 50 is still not high. Even though the rate has doubled since 1990, only about 10 out of every 1,000 married people were divorced in 2010. Further, the gray divorce rate was still half of the divorce rate for those under the age of 50.
A 2016 study looked through the marital histories of about 5,000 couples to determine if there were any variables that correlated with a gray divorce. For example, they found that couples who owned property together were less likely to get a divorce than those who did not. Couples who were wealthy were also less likely to get a divorce. A 2012 study also noted that those who were remarried were more likely to end a marriage than those who had not been previously married to someone else.
Getting a divorce can be difficult, no matter how long a couple has been married. If the couple has acquired assets throughout the duration of their marriage or there are kids involved, going through the divorce process can be even more complex. If the former couple cannot work together to come to a divorce agreement that works for them, their respective attorneys could assist with dividing up property or negotiating a parenting plan. In some cases, the attorneys can help reach a settlement quickly so that the former couple can move on.