Seattle Legal Blog: Divorce, Child Custody, Domestic Violence & Mediation

Women Divorcing After 50 – A New Trend?

With high-profile divorces like the one announced between Tipper Gore and Al Gore, many are wondering about the recent rise in women divorcing after age 50. What could be causing this leap in women-initiated divorces in the golden years?

Many researchers say that women may now be seeking divorce after their children leave the home and because they become more financially independent as they age. In addition, women are living longer and choosing to start on a new path later in life. One relationship specialist, Teri Orbuch, says that it may simply be that Americans have changing expectations of marriage – some may see a 40-year marriage as successful and understand that relationships do not last for someone’s entire life. A new poll of single women over 50 resulted in some data that might support this idea: 76 percent said that they would not marry again if given the choice.