You sometimes hear people talk about the divorce rate in the United States, but they may have very different opinions. For some, it seems like divorce is becoming more common all the time, and the institution of marriage just isn’t what it was for previous generations. For others, it seems like divorce is growing less common, in part because cohabitation is on the rise.
So what’s really happening? Both of these perspectives can be valid. It just depends on the age group that you’re looking at.
45 years old
One key point where there is a divide is 45 years old. For Americans who are over this age, the divorce rate has been trending up. But for those who are under 45, the rate has been dropping. Younger couples tend to either have stable marriages or simply live together without getting married, so breaking up doesn’t count as a divorce in the first place.
Where there is the most dramatic divide, though, is when looking at Americans who are 65 years old and older. In the last 30+ years, the divorce rate for this age group has tripled. It’s far more common for people around retirement age to get divorced today than it was in the past.
Divorce at a later age can also be fairly complex, especially when looking at large amounts of assets, real estate, business ownership, retirement plans and other financial details. Those going through this process need to know all of their legal rights and options as they address property division and other aspects of the divorce.