Since 1990, the divorce rates for people over the age of 55 have increased significantly. This is true in spite of the fact that the divorce rates for younger Maryland couples have tended to trend lower in that same time period. There are many possible reasons why older couples are more likely to end their marriages compared to their younger counterparts.
Younger people tend to get married later in life
It isn’t uncommon for individuals to wait until their late 20s before choosing their life partners. At that point, they are more likely to know what they want and need from their spouses. They are also more likely to be established in their careers, which can lead to greater levels of financial security. In many cases, fights about money eventually cause couples to end their relationships.
Gender roles have changed over the past several decades
In the 21st century, it’s not unusual to see a woman in the workplace. This means that women have greater financial independence than they did in previous generations. Ultimately, they don’t need to stay in a toxic marriage simply because their husbands are the breadwinners in their lives.
Attitudes toward divorce have changed
In previous generations, it was considered shameful to divorce your spouse. Therefore, many people stayed together to avoid the social stigma that came with ending their marriages. However, today, it’s socially acceptable to end a relationship that doesn’t add any value to your life. Therefore, older people are choosing to leave spouses who engage in infidelity, are abusive or have simply lost their passion for life as they age.
If you are thinking about ending your marriage, it may be a good idea to talk to an attorney. A legal representative may be able to provide more information about how assets, debts and parental rights are divided in a final settlement. Furthermore, this person may review a prenuptial, postnuptial or any other agreement that was reached during the course of your relationship.
