According to the Office of National Statistics, divorce rates are dropping – except for one age group, the over 60s, who are bucking the downward trend.
Elizabeth Hebden, Head of Family Law at AWB Charlesworth has noted a marked increase in the number of older couples going through a divorce.
Dubbed ‘Silver Separation’, the trend is attributed to a number of factors including:-
- children may have left home and flaws in the relationship are magnified.
- a greater lust for life and an increase in life expectancy that might not have been seen in this age group in previous generations.
- women’s increase in financial independence.
People simply no longer feel old at 60 and realising they have years of life ahead of them, a separation can be the start of a new life.
For some however, divorce carries with it insecurity, loneliness and financial worries.
The needs of an older couple need to be carefully looked at. There will usually be significant equity in a property and substantial pension assets, but often limited income resources/borrowing capacity. It is important to obtain legal advice to understand your options to enable you to make choices.
If you wish to arrange a meeting, please contact a member of our Family Team at one of our four offices in Skipton, Keighley, Bradford or Bingley. Contact details can be found on our home page.
[awbclaw-bio-full-details-wrapper id=”2058″]