Last month, national treasure, Mary Berry, announced her 90th birthday and celebrated 60 years of marriage to her husband. This story stood out for not only Mary’s remarkable age and mindset but also a marriage anniversary that comes at a time of a noticeable rise in the divorce rate among older age groups.
Most recently, Meryl Streep and her husband of 45 years, Don Gummer, formally announced that they underwent an amicable separation six years ago but continue to care for each other having chosen to live apart. They are also not the only ones in the headlines choosing to part more amicably.
Another factor driving the rise in later-life divorces is the changing nature of work and retirement. With more individuals working longer or pursuing second careers, the traditional retirement age has become a distant memory. This extended working life can lead couples to reassess their relationship dynamics and future plans, prompting some to opt for divorce as they embark on new life chapters.
The changing nature of aging
One significant factor contributing to this situation is the changing landscape of aging. With advancements in healthcare and lifestyle improvements, people are living longer. Also healthier lives and societal attitudes to age are shifting – 60 is the new 40 and a chance to rebuild a life with a new approach to the future.
Time to re-evaluate
For those couples, they simply get to the stage of life where their children have left home, the mortgage is paid off, they have a healthy disposable income, and they start to consider how they want the next phase of their life to look. This inevitable soul searching doesn’t always result in them reaching that next stage together as a couple.
Instead, it can be a time to seize the opportunity to re-evaluate their relationship, maximise their new-found freedoms and seek personal fulfilment apart in their later years.
Fortunately, societal attitudes toward divorce have evolved and the idea of ending a marriage later in life is no longer stigmatised like it was. If treated correctly, it should be recognised as a valid pursuit of happiness while aiming to preserve the friendship and respect the couple may still have for each other.
One Couple One Solicitor – a unique approach
One notable approach gaining popularity in later-life divorces is the “One Couple One Solicitor” method which aims to keep matters simple and straightforward. Both partners meet with one solicitor who will inform them together of the position in law, listen to what the couple want to achieve in respect of the finances and then guide them through the legal process. This approach is working well with older couples as their children are usually independent adults who no longer factor into negotiations. This tends to result in less conflict and more clarity from the couple as to how they want to move forward.
At One Family Law, we specialise in the One Couple One Solicitor method, which aligns with these priorities and offers a more amicable and cost-efficient path to separation and divorce. We feel strongly that for older couples who have spent a large portion of their lives building a home, raising a family and saving for their future together, it is a natural and sensible progression for them to approach their divorce or separation in the same way. It doesn’t need to be a story of two sides in conflicted opposition.
Whether you’re contemplating divorce in your later years or generally seeking guidance on a more amicable separation, our priority will be finding the best outcome that allows you to make mutually agreeable choices that work for you and your future.
