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Gray divorce sometimes attributed to “empty nest”

On Behalf of | May 14, 2014 | Divorce |

Parents everywhere will attest that when children leave the familial home, life changes forever. However, as some Connecticut residents are aware, this does not always bode well for the spouses left behind who must rediscover one another after years of fulfilling parental roles. Some experts believe this so-called “empty nest syndrome” can be a leading cause of gray divorce.

Also known as the “we’ve grown apart” divorce, this particular kind of separation is spurred on by a sudden re-acquaintance between spouses typical of those whose adult children have moved out for the first time. It can quickly become apparent that spouses no longer share the same things in common they once did, and that their roles in one another’s lives have changed. For the over-40 set, this can lead to a reappraisal of the marriage situation.

Gray divorce has been on the rise for years. This may be possibly due to the continual rise in life expectancy that leads people to be more choosy about who they will spend what might be several decades of child-free time with. Additionally, the challenges of such separations are different from those of younger people: alimony and spousal support can be major points of contention for individuals who may have been out of the work force for many years.

Divorce is not an easy process at any age, but gray divorce can be particularly challenging, specifically when it is not spurred on by a major falling out but a slow decline. However, Connecticut residents facing late-life divorce may benefit from seeking support and information about their rights and responsibilities under divorce law in their state. This can help both individuals navigate the complicated world of empty-nest divorce effectively.

Source: commdiginews.com, “Empty nest divorce: the kids are gone and so is the magic”, Myra Fleischer, May 10, 2014