Posted on 06/13/2012 7:39:16 AM PDT by BenLurkin
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — The divorce rate is soaring among people in their 50s — and it’s most often the wife who wants out.
Since 1990, the divorce rate has doubled to 1 in 4 among couples over 50 years old, who are also referred to as “empty nesters.”
The trend is being called “Grey Divorce” and is outlined in a study published by Bowling Green State University.
Century City Family Divorce Attorney Marlo Von Oorschot wrote a book on the subject.
“People look at their marriages and say I could live’ til I’m 90 years old and do I wanna stay in this marriage?”
*In addition to longevity, women are sometimes more financially independent than before, there’s less social pressure to stay married and more focus on individual happiness.
A national survey conducted by AARP finds the majority of split ups are being initiated by women.
“Women in their 40s, 50s, 6o’s still feel very youthful and, if you’re in a marriage where your needs aren’t being met,…we have choices today,” Von Oorschot said.
That may be why dating websites catering to that generation are growing in popularity.
But Von Oorschot said while divorce is a difficult decision — at any age — it can come with more risks at a later age.
“The plans this couple had for 20, 30 years to retire at a certain age are derailed,” the attorney said.
Older couples undergoing divorce may be forced to have to start working again and losing health benefits.
But some believe that when a person is no longer in sync with their partner it can be much more rewarding to tend to their own needs
I think latest stats have us pretty damned near even. That gap has been closing for years and years, and last year it was heavily reported that it was about even now.
“Needless to say, it’s not working out that way for some of them, who do have good jobs, and in particular with some guys who’ve taken an earnings hit over the past couple of years.”
It is amazing how the left wing judges seem to ignore the economic realities of today.
In the great financial meltdown, a local guy lost his business and home. He maxed out his credit cards, had no money and ended up with a divorce.
He is in his late 50’s and unable to find a job, yet he was told that he owed his former wife, a nice 4 figure per month spousal support.
He told the judge and asst. DA that he had no money and no real chance at employment. Between his non spousal support and debts he couldn’t pay, he went to trial and was sentenced to a couple of years in jail.
Since he is considered non violent and not a threat to society, he was released after one year in jail.
He is still unemployed and not paying his monthly spousal support, and he was recently told by another judge he has until 1 Oct to start spousal support payments and to make up for the year+ of non payment.
He started laughing at the Judge. The Judge threatened to put him in jail, and he said that he would be glad to go back to jail.
The Judge backed off. So the guy gets two free meals 5 days/week from charity groups and sleeps in his old suv or under a bridge. He hopes the judge will throw him back in jail for the rest of his life.
I WISH I could say, "unbelievable"... but, sadly, I do believe it.
Every day that I come home, and my clothes are not piled in the driveway, I consider a GREAT day! Given the ways the laws are today.... I don't know why my wife stays. I'd leave me. :(
“Every day that I come home, and my clothes are not piled in the driveway, I consider a GREAT day! Given the ways the laws are today.... I don’t know why my wife stays. I’d leave me. :( “
One of our younger relatives has a similiar outlook.
If his boss didn’t fire him and his wife wasn’t holding a garage sale of his fishing/hunting stuff when he comes home. It was a good day until one of his teenagers starts in about how he/she has the meanest parents in the world.
“I wonder how often this coincides with the kids being grown up and out of the house”
A lot.
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