Divorce and the Over-60s

Think Tank finds “silver separators” have almost doubled since 1990.

The number of divorcees aged 60 and above has nearly doubled in the UK since 1990, new research from the Think Tank International Longevity Centre (ILC-UK) has revealed.

Our practice frequently sees cases where couples in this age group simply drift apart, particularly when children have grown up and left home for university or to achieve independence. This kind of “empty nest syndrome” means the dynamic between couples changes, with new issues arising which may have been ignored in the past when raising the children. With life expectancy increasing, together with the more active lifestyle of people in and approaching retirement, many may simply be unwilling to spend another 20 or 30 years living with someone they no longer love.

This is a hugely important issue to consider and it is vital that those considering separation and/or divorce speak to a family law expert to gain a proper understanding of their position.

There are particular complexities for older separating couples, such as the sharing of pensions in payment and inheritance planning. Ultimately, legal advice is essential to ensure that any separation can be resolved as amicably and quickly as possible.

Thursday, February 25th, 2016 Divorce