There are so many different reasons to file for divorce, and no two couples will approach the process for exactly the same reasons. However, there are some common factors that many couples in Minnesota cite when ending their marriages. This is especially true when it comes to grey divorce.
Grey divorce involves people who are over the age of 50. Although grey divorce is not exactly new, it is certainly more common than it was even a decade ago. These couples usually are not divorcing over different parenting philosophies or other problems that younger couples might face. Instead, they are more likely to call it quits because of money, infidelity and more.
Money troubles
Couples of all ages divorce over financial stress. Having a lot of debt or fighting about money all of the time are both common causes of divorce. But who earns what is also a pretty significant factor for people who are at least 50 years old. According to research, a marriage can get stronger if the husband earns more than the wife, and it can weaken if the wife is the higher earner.
Decades of money mismanagement can also pile up until a couple just cannot keep going with one another. In other cases, divorce could come down to financial resentment. For example, if only one person worked and he or she made all of the money decisions for the household, the other spouse might want more financial freedom during the later years in life.
Stepping outside the marriage
Most people would agree that cheating on a spouse is not a good idea. However, cheating is not as stigmatized as it once was. In fact, there are even websites and apps that encourage married people to engage in infidelity. This makes engaging in extramarital affairs both more accessible and more accepted.
Another reason for infidelity is simply growing apart from one another. After decades spent by one another’s side, couples often find themselves lost once the kids are out of the house. Spouses may feel bored with one another and curious about what opportunities they might be missing.
Living longer, healthier lives
For past generations, divorce was not common for people over the age of 50. This is partly because people were not living as long as they are now. The average baby boomer has years or even decades of healthy life ahead of them, and few want to spend it in an unsatisfying marriage. Instead, they want to use their remaining years to live happy, fulfilling lives.
Filing for a grey divorce is a big decision that you have given a lot of thought. You understand that there will be challenges like securing retirement funds, but you also know that getting the right help can be key to reaching the most agreeable outcome possible. This is why it is so important to speak with an attorney who is knowledgeable in Minnesota family law.
