After 20 years of marriage, individuals may start to reconsider whether they want to remain with their partners. At this point, they may begin to realize that they are emotionally disconnected from their spouses. Research has shown that the divorce rate for individuals 50 and older doubled between 1990 and 2010. This is in spite of the fact that younger couples in Illinois and throughout the country are getting divorced less often.
One reason why older people are getting divorced at an increased rate is that people don’t view divorce the same way that people did in previous generations. Generally speaking, the stigma around ending a marriage has significantly decreased in recent decades. Therefore, people who may have felt social pressure to stay in an unhappy relationship are now more likely to feel confident enough to leave. This may be especially true for victims of emotional or physical abuse.
Individuals who are finding it difficult to communicate with their spouses may benefit from going to therapy. This could help them learn how to talk to their significant others and rediscover the passion and enthusiasm that they had for each other. Doing so may help to avoid a divorce, which can present a variety of financial and emotional challenges regardless of when in life it occurs.
After a divorce, a person might be entitled to alimony or a share of marital property such as money inside of a retirement account. Individuals may also be entitled to retain a family home or other property in a final settlement. An attorney may be able to review a prenuptial agreement or take other steps to assist those who are going through the process of ending their marriages. Divorce settlements may be reached privately, through mediation or in court.