Divorce after 20 years of marriage is often not understood by everyone. Middle-age divorces are also known as silver or diamond splitters or grey divorce. Those not part of the relationship may think there’s no point as a major part of their life has gone by anyway. But whoever is going through a rough patch knows it better. This post discusses the multiple reasons why middle-aged couples get divorced. And if you are dealing with a divorce, we have some effective strategies to help you move on and cope with life without your ex-partner.
How Common Is It For Older Couples To Divorce?
Research shows that the overall trend of divorce in the US is decreasing for the past 20 years, but the divorce rate is higher among people aged 50 years and above (1). According to the Pew Research Center, divorce statistics among 50+ couples in the US has doubled since 1990 (2). The graph illustrates the changes in the divorce rate over the last two decades in couples between the ages 25-39, 40-49, and 50+. While the rate of divorce decreased in the 25-39 age group, it is on an increasing trend in the other two groups.
Divorce rates among 50+ population in the US
Why Do Couples Separate After 20 Years?
Each couple has its reasons to get separated after many years of marriage. At times, they might have a strong sense of realization that the best part of being with each other is over, and it is the right decision to part ways. The following are some common reasons why couples get separated after 20 years of being in the wedlock.
1. Falling out of love
Some couples have had a good life together nurturing the family and parenting the kids, but there is no love left between them. They might grow apart over the years. Life’s responsibilities, challenges, and failures might suck the love out of the relationship. Many couples try to avoid the elephant in the room for several years or decades together but realize and accept it someday and might get separated in search of happiness.
2. Lack of mutual growth
Personal growth, for many people, is a lifelong process, and it does not stop until death. However, when only one of them has such aspirations, it becomes difficult to live with each other. It is difficult for the growing partner to see the stagnation of the other half, while the other half may feel that their partner has too many aspirations and no satisfaction. This often results in a different lifestyle, financial goals, and retirement plans, which might make the couple get separated.
3. Unresolved issues of the past
There might be some unresolved issues of the past that resurface after several years. Couples might hide their issues in the closet for the sake of their social image or kids, but there comes a time when they can no longer fake it or live with it. Things such as a big lie, cheating, an accident, a bad fight, a debilitating illness, etc., might keep resurfacing until they call it quits.
4. Old-fashioned thought process
One of them could be orthodox, while the other is unconventional. In such cases, one of the partners is often too rigid to change with changing times, while the other likes to be dynamic and updates with the latest trends. They might find it difficult to be in sync with each other.
5. Lack of communication
Over the years, couples tend to forget that communication is the key to a successful marriage. They fail to communicate their affection. This distance between them grows to a point where they cannot be happy with each other and may end up in divorce.
6. Losing connection over the years
Raising kids, excelling at profession, and handling all big and small problems of life is taxing. Raising kids is said to be the most satisfying yet the most draining part of life for an average couple. Giving birth to children, nurturing them, providing education, and striving to give them a better life take priority over the bonding with the spouse. Couples may not find enough space or time for romance and might end up losing connection with each other.
7. Kids leaving home
A house once lively with children, their laughs and fights, suddenly becomes empty and dull when they grow up and leave home. It is a difficult transition for parents from a lively home to an empty nest. They are left with only each other, and the entire family arrangement needs to be redone. This procedure might make one realize their incompatibility with each other. Moreover, children are the glue that holds the parents together. Once they move out, the couple might get drifted apart. This is a huge factor that contributes to mid or old age divorces.
8. Never in love
Some couples have lived their lives together but might have never actually been in love with one another. They might portray to be a happy couple for the sake of social image or their children for years together. It is also possible that they got married under family pressure and never had the necessary compatibility. Love is the fuel that keeps the ship sailing, but in the absence of love, it gets difficult to live together after a certain point. In such situations, divorce risks are high.
9. Personality disorders and mental illnesses
Personality disorders like the inability to perceive the truth, impulsive behavior, obsessive behavior, severe mood swings, etc., take a severe toll on the relationship. Despite seeking professional help, such problems might persist. Also, mental health problems such as schizophrenia, PTSD, dementia, Alzheimer’s are lifelong responsibilities and might exhaust the caregiving partner. If a person has severe physical health issues and is too dependent on the spouse for a long time, then it might exhaust the spouse, who may consider separation.
10. Mistrust and lies
It becomes impossible to live with a compulsively lying partner, whom you cannot trust. Lack of trust over the years might force the other partner to put their foot down and call it quits, having realized that the spouse is incorrigible.
11. Professional failure
The stress to succeed professionally can sap the love out of your marriage in the prime years of the married life. However, professional failure or financial crisis, despite all the efforts, can bring a real change to marriage. Stress from such failures may lead to divorce.
13. Abusive relationships
Abuse can be physical, mental, financial, sexual, or emotional. In many cases, such abuse is usually not tolerated for 20 years. But some people might tolerate it due to fear, financial dependency, social obligations, lack of support, or lack of courage to walk away. When the abused person reaches that stage of life where they can no longer take it, then it leads to divorce.
14. Addictions
Hidden or open addictions of gambling, sex, smoking, drugs, alcohol, shopping, stealing, hoarding, etc. might be strenuous for the spouse to handle. The person might have tried hard to help their partner come out his/her addictions by seeking medical help, counseling, vigil watch, setting boundaries, etc. But it isn’t a one-way street, and if the other person is not willing to reform, then it might lead to separation.
15. Extramarital affairs
Infidelity is a leading cause for failed marriages. Extramarital affairs can be of various forms, like indulging in one-night stands, visiting strip clubs, social media flirting, social media dating, etc. These can be detrimental to a marriage. It may not be easy for everybody to forgive their cheating spouse.
16. Therapy and counseling fail
When couples find the bond between them diminishing and themselves drifting apart, they might seek therapy down the lane of long wedlock. During the therapy, they may realize that their incompatibility has no scope of improvement. In such cases, the couple can mutually decide to go for a divorce and free themselves from an unhappy marriage.
17. Different sexual preferences
One of the partners might come out of the closet after a few years of marriage. They might be hiding their sexual preferences or sexual orientation for several years before they finally muster the courage to tell it to their partner and the world. Such scenarios may end in divorce.
18. Procrastinating the separation
They might have realized their marriage is not working out for whatever reason, but they could not take the step due to work/kids/society/afraid of being alone.
How To Survive Divorce After 20 Years Of Marriage?
Divorce after 20 years can be complicated for most couples since it may involve issues, such as custody of children and alimony. Moreover, divorce at any stage of life is not easy. It brings along emotional trauma and bitterness. Take some time. Try to indulge in a respectful conversation with your partner and reach an amicable arrangement. The following are the possible ways you can handle yourself and the divorce with dignity.
1. Understand and have clarity of your finances
Managing two houses instead of one becomes an expensive affair, and the financial arrangement might be a little tough. Here are a few financial things to take care of:
Divorcees usually sell their marital home and share the amount between them, or one person might keep the house and pay the value to the other.
Draft your marital assets and cash inflow well.
Check your individual social security benefits as well.
Split all your joint accounts.
Get enough clarity on health insurance.
Sign agreements on child support.
List out the probable future expenses, like medical expenses, and set aside a certain fund for it. Planning for unavoidable and unforeseeable expenses can help avoid conflict later.
Planning an accurate financial future can help you both do things better.
2. Have adequate discussion
Talk through the divorce process with each other directly or hire lawyers to do it for you. Have some clarity on what both of you expect from the divorce. The decision to obtain a divorce has effects for a lifetime, and to go through the process, you need mental toughness. A lot of struggle can be avoided if you and your spouse are on the same page. If you have children, have a discussion with them and explain your situation and reasons for the divorce.
3. Brace yourself from questioning and negativity of people around
The time after the divorce could be difficult as you might be questioned about your decision to separate after 20 long years. Keep some answers ready for such questions. Tell them politely, but sternly, that you are not ready for this conversation yet. You can tell them that you value their concern but do not give in to their emotional manipulation. Divert the conversation to something else.
4. Give yourself time
Divorce, after 20 years of being together, can cause a significant shift in your life. Do not force yourself to be happy immediately. It is okay to be sad, cry, shout, and be upset. Take time to move forward, but do make efforts to come from your past.
5. Find a support system
Seek the support of friends or family members that you trust. If you can’t find adequate support there, then contact a therapist. It is always good to vent out. It can help you get a new perspective on the situation and life.
6. Find a comfortable living arrangement
You might be having several memories in your marital home, but if you must move out of it after the divorce, then be prepared for it. Find a convenient place for yourself. Some couples continue sharing the house. If you consider doing the same, then have a written agreement on new house rules and lease agreements. Set clear boundaries.
7. Be flexible in finding a new job
If your financial status demands it, then start looking for a job. If you had a gap in your career or have never worked before, then it may be difficult to find work, but you can still try. Update your resume with your skill sets and expertise.
8. Use the fresh start as an opportunity
Use the divorce as a fresh opportunity. It is a good chance for you to live a life you always wanted to live. Be flexible in the new situation and incorporate yourself into the new normal. Try to stay physically fit and be open to new ideas and suggestions.
