Why do some couples pursue a late-in-life divorce?

You may have gotten married in your twenties and raised a family with your spouse. Now the children are grown, and you are nearing retirement or are currently retired. Does your marriage look the same as it did when you were younger?

For some couples in New York, the answer is no. While some couples grow together throughout the years, some couples find that their marriage in their older age is not what they desire, and they will seek a late-in-life divorce.

Differing values

One reason some people pursue a late-in-life divorce is due to differing values. For example, a person who wants to move for their job may value upward movement in their career but if their spouse does not want to move or wants them to retire, the difference in how they want to live out the next few decades could lead to resentment and ultimately divorce.

Another reason some people pursue a late-in-life divorce is simply growing apart over the years. This happens sometimes to parents who spent the past couple decades raising the kids only to find that once the kids have flown the nest that they do not have much in common anymore, leading to the decision to divorce.

A third reason some people pursue a late-in-life divorce is the lessening stigma of divorce. While divorce used to be socially unacceptable, these days divorce has become more commonplace, and most people do not think negatively of a person who divorces.

Divorce for a happier retirement

Sometimes a couple’s relationship is so strained that the idea of spending the next three or four decades together is undesirable. Older couples can seek a late-in-life divorce, with the goal of living in the manner they feel is best in their retirement.