As the divorce rates for younger people have decreased in recent years, the incidence of later life divorced (or ‘gray’ divorces) has been rising. This rate of gray divorces has increased to such an extent that the Pew Research Center showed that divorce rates for those over 50 are twice what it was in the 1990s. Even more significant is the divorce rate of people over 65, which has tripled between 1990 and 2015.
Searching for your best life
There are so many reasons why a couple may divorce, but many believe that the choice to enter the last phase of your life as a single person is a much better option than staying in a difficult marriage. Divorce amongst older couples has many unique challenges, but it can also be easier with most children being fully grown by that time. Despite being an incredibly challenging life decision, here are some of the ways seeking a divorce may be the right choice for some women:
- A UK study demonstrated that women over 50 were twice more likely than men to be happier in their postdivorce life.
- Around 35 percent of women said they were generally less stressed after the divorce.
- A lower, 17 percent of men reported they were less stressed after the divorce.
- 30 percent of women reported better self-esteem, with 15 percent of men showing a confidence improvement.
Preparing for the rest of your life
You want your retirement to be the best time of your life. Though it may not seem that way during the process of it, your life after a divorce could be more stable and more fulfilling than your married life. If you’re considering a divorce, pursue your options for protecting your interests during this process.