Family law courts see increase in gray divorce

 Posted on June 01, 2018 in Family Law

It's now a trend with its own term. Gray divorce, a term used for individuals who end their marriage after they are 50 years of age or older, is rising, and more family law professionals are seeing clients who fit the category. In Illinois, these older couples separate with different issues than other couples who call it quits when they are younger.

Unlike couples with minor children, gray divorce individuals do not have the same needs for child custody and child support negotiations. Usually, the major issues of this type of marital dissolution are related to assets such as the home, investments and retirement plans. Individuals need to decide how the assets will be shared during a collaborative process, or they may need to have the matter settled by a judge.

Some of those with experience in the field say that divorces among older individuals are up and that the divorce rate has raised to 30 percent in this age group. Some say that it is the largest growing age section in their family law practice. Many couples report that the divorce was useful and that they harbor no bad blood against their ex-partner, but of course, this does not apply in every case.

Individuals in Illinois considering family law solutions to their marital problems may choose to seek a divorce. Understanding the long-term impacts of a late-in-life divorce can be important to one's pocketbook. Many people choose to reach out for extra help during this time, such as a consultation with an experienced divorce attorney.

Source: wjla.com, "Gray Divorce: Couples parting ways after decades of marriage", Alexis Arnold, May 30, 2018