When you look at the overall divorce rate in the United States, it is declining. There was a period in time in which there was a massive increase in divorce cases. This happened when no-fault divorce laws were new, making it easier for couples to get divorced. Since they didn’t have to prove that it was anyone’s fault, they could split up simply because they wanted to end the relationship.
That increase didn’t last for long, and now people simply view divorce differently. One interesting thing that you’ll find is that divorce rates are connected to the generation that a person is a part of. They are not at all the same from one age group to the next, so someone’s age can be as much of a predictor of divorce as anything else.
A rising divorce rate
For instance, take a look at the divorce rate for those who are 50 and older. It has been increasing, meaning that it is working against the general trend. If you’re in your 20s, your odds of divorce are shrinking. If you’re in your 50s, they’re only going up.
A lot of different factors have caused this to happen. For one thing, the negative stigma around divorce has changed, which could make some older couples finally feel free to split up when they felt social pressure to stay together before. Another thing to consider is that these couples often had children who may have recently left home, meaning that they are empty-nesters. This is sometimes connected to divorce because the couple has to take a new look at their own relationship without the distraction of having children in the house.
Regardless of why the divorce occurs, it’s critical that those who are involved understand their rights to property division, child custody and much more.