Historically, divorce rates in the United States have gone through significant changes. One hundred years ago, divorce used to be incredibly uncommon, and it was very difficult to legally end a marriage. Today, especially because of the rise of no-fault divorce laws, divorce is relatively easy. These laws came about in the 1970s, which is when divorce rates began to skyrocket.
But the 1970s were still 50 years ago. So what’s happening to divorce rates today? Some people claim that they are still rising, but the truth is that it may depend on your age.
Are you over 45?
According to some studies, the key age to consider is 45. For couples who are under 45 years old, the divorce rate has been trending down. Part of the reason for this is that the average age of marriage is around 30. It’s less common for people to get married in their teens or early 20s, which has really changed the dynamic of these relationships in the United States.
But for those who are over 45 years old, the divorce rate is still going up. This is often known as gray divorce, and it can bring on some unique challenges.
If you are getting divorced in your 50s or 60s, for instance, you may be business owners who have to determine what to do with a jointly-owned business. You may have significant assets, like family homes and vacation homes. You may be getting closer to retirement, so you have to consider how divorce will impact your retirement options – or how to split up retirement assets.
If you do end up moving toward divorce and you feel that the process is going to be complicated, take the time to carefully consider your legal options.