The number of individuals marrying aged 65 and over has increased by 46% in a decade from 7,468 in 2004 to 10,937 in 2014, as revealed by recent marriage data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Whilst divorce in England and Wales is generally in decline, older people are not following that trend. The number of men aged 65 and over divorcing increased by 23%, and the number of women of a similar age divorcing increased by 37%. The ONS says that the increase in older people forming new relationships is likely to be because they are living longer.
Tom Fisher, Family Law Solicitor at Jackson Lees comments:
“In recent times, I have experienced a rise in the number of couples who are divorcing in their 60s, 70s and 80s!
The stigma for divorce seems to have gone for these couples who are often in a position of financial security and who see their retirement as ‘a new beginning’, rather than an end. It seems that men and women alike want time to find out who they are as individuals. With the children grown-up, often couples tell me that they find themselves in a position where they no longer have the financial pressures, or pressures of working life and now have time on their hands and want to use that time to enjoy life to the full! This can result in many couples finding that their new identities lead them down separate paths. Perhaps 10 years ago I would have only dealt with a few clients from this age group.”
In the past, divorce perhaps wasn’t viewed as an option for our more experienced generation. Although the rise in divorces in this age group is not startling, it certainly has been noticeable.
The rich and famous are not immune to divorce in this age group. In May 2011, film star Arnold Schwarzenegger announced his separation from wife of 25 years, and later that year, Mel Gibson and his wife divorced after 31 years of marriage.
The once cherished ruby wedding anniversary may become less common place as marriages struggle to make 40 years, and can break-down after decades of togetherness, children and grandchildren.
It was reported by a British dating site who surveyed 500 couples that people married one year spent 40 minutes of an hour-long dinner engaged in conversation. By 20 years of marriage, they were down to 21 minutes, by 30 years it’s 16 minutes. Those married 50 years were talking for just 3 minutes!
However, it would seem there is a new generation of older couples taking a different perspective on divorce and the potential opportunities outside of marriage. One particular client of mine was in his early 70s when filing for divorce from over 40-years of marriage. When I asked him about divorce proceedings and separating at his stage in life, he told me that “I may not have many years left yet and I think that I deserve a bit of happiness”.
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