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The Era of the Gray Divorce

Rings to symbolize gray divorce

Divorce is rarely simple, regardless of the circumstances. It involves navigating complicated logistics like who keeps the home, how assets are divided, and, if there are younger children, determining custody arrangements. For couples who’ve been together for 20, 30, or even 40 years, many assume they’ll stay together for life. After all, if you’ve made it this far, why wouldn’t you just stick it out?


Gray Divorce Statistics

Yet, there’s a growing trend that challenges this assumption: the rise of “gray divorce,” where couples in their 50s, 60s, or even older are choosing to end their marriages. The divorce rate for individuals aged 50 and older has doubled since the 1990s, cited in the Journal of Gerontology. Specifically, for those aged 65 and older, the divorce rate has tripled during the same period. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2021, approximately 34.9% of divorces involved couples aged 55 years or older. What’s driving this shift?


Gray divorce statistic graph

Figure 1. Divorce rate and number of persons that experience divorce, for adults aged 50 through 64 years and 65 years and older.

The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, Volume 67, Issue 6, November 2012, Pages 731–741


Gray Divorce Reasons

The social stigma surrounding divorce has significantly diminished over the past few decades. In the 1960s through the 1990s, divorce was often viewed as a failure, and preserving the family unit was paramount. Today, with nearly half of marriages ending in divorce, it’s not only more common but also more socially accepted—even encouraged in some cases.


As people live longer and prioritize their happiness and fulfillment, they may no longer feel compelled to “stick it out” in an unfulfilling relationship. The gray divorce trend reflects this cultural shift, where individuals are increasingly choosing to seek personal growth and happiness, even later in life.


Gray Divorce Issues: How Senior Move Managers Can Help


An elderly couple arguing

You might wonder how a move manager can be helpful during a divorce. In fact, hiring a move manager can be highly beneficial for both parties. If you’re divorcing later in life, physically managing a move may be more challenging. Additionally, dividing up belongings can be an emotional and complicated process. An impartial third party can assist in sorting and separating items each person will keep, donate, or discard, making the transition smoother and less stressful.


Undoubtedly, after years with a partner, adjusting to life on your own can be challenging. For some, it might feel liberating; for others, it may seem overwhelming. Adapting to a new normal is inevitable. If your partner managed the finances, ran the household, or made major decisions, the prospect of handling these responsibilities alone can be daunting. This is where a move manager can be invaluable. They offer not only the logistical expertise to manage your move but also the emotional support needed to ease this significant life transition.


A Gray Divorce Revolution?

As the trend of “gray divorce” continues to grow, we can expect more people to face the prospect of moving later in life. Consequently, the demand for senior move manager services will likely increase, providing crucial support during this challenging time.

 

 

About the Author

Kristyn Drury is the Co-Founder of Real T Simplistic, an Associate Broker, a Certified Senior Move Manager, and a Seniors Real Estate Specialist.  Kristyn loves working with senior clients and their families to help them transition and meet their relocation goals.


Nicole Hyman is the Co-Founder of Real T Simplistic, a Realtor, a NASMM Certified Senior Move Manager, and a Seniors Real Estate Specialist. Nicole enjoys working closely with seniors and their families to create a stress-free transition whether moving, downsizing or just decluttering.


 

Real T Simplistic Senior Move Managers is a team of experts helping seniors and their families to make "Thoughtful Moves." because moving a lifetime is always more than just a move. Real T assists with every aspect of senior transitions, from decluttering and rearranging to age in place, to downsizing or relocating to a smaller home or assisted living community. Real T prepares a personal moving plan for each client, their home and their possessions. Real T is also uniquely able to help with selling the family home, and buying or leasing a new place -- taking care of marketing the home, locating the best new home and all of the paperwork details in between.




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