Common Motivations for Illinois Gray Divorce Explained

 Posted on March 23, 2024 in Divorce

Divorce can be a challenging process to go through no matter what stage of life you are in at the time. Since every single married couple has a unique dynamic based on the personalities and backgrounds of the spouses and their experiences together, every divorce is unique as well. But keeping that in mind, there are some categories of divorce, and the couples in those categories tend to share various aspects.

That is certainly the case with gray divorce, or divorce for a couple who are in their fifties or older. There are, of course, many variables in the category: some couples at that stage in life might not have children, some might have one child, and some might have many children and even grandchildren by the time they consider divorce. In some couples, both spouses worked for the majority of their adult life, and in some, only one did. But all of them will either be approaching their retirement or already retired, and that can have a major influence on the divorce. If you are considering divorce and you are close to retirement age, speak with an experienced DuPage County, IL gray divorce attorney to find out more.

What Makes Gray Divorce Stand Out?

Several years ago, gray divorce was considered a new emerging phenomenon. Nowadays, it is a much more common trend, and it seems it is here to stay. One reason is that life expectancy has risen. As a result, many older adults in unhappy marriages are unwilling to settle for this unhappiness for the rest of their lives, which lasts longer than they did a few decades ago. Some factors commonly listed for older couples who want a divorce include:

• Empty nest syndrome: Some couples make a conscious decision to stay together until their youngest is out of the home for the sake of their children. Other couples might have been distracted by a busy family life to realize how unhappy they were together. Either way, once there are no longer any children living at home, many couples who have been living in unhappy marriages find they can no longer avoid facing the truth that they should not be together.
• Growing apart over time: While many couples find that the reality of marriage is different from the early stages of the relationship, others feel that the time that has passed has created a bridge between them and they do not want to stay together any longer.
• Desire to live their life to the fullest: As people age, some feel that their marriage is hindering them from accomplishing everything they want to do. The pressure of limited time, regardless of how fit and healthy someone might be, can lead them to make drastic changes in their life to use every moment they can on themselves and their own fulfillment.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a DuPage County, IL Gray Divorce Attorney

If you are in your fifties or older and considering divorce, speak with a knowledgeable Wheaton, IL gray divorce lawyer. While there are many different circumstances and factors characterizing couples going through a gray divorce, our team at Divorce Over 50 - Goostree Law Group has years of experience handling these types of cases. Call 630-634-5050 to schedule a free consultation.