There are many reasons behind divorce. In most cases, it’s not one event that causes the dissolution of the marriage, but many smaller things that build up over time. Some parents may choose to ignore these issues until their children are adults. They assume that adult children will be better able to cope with the divorce and it won’t impact them as negatively as if the parents had divorced when the children were minors. But adult children can still be very emotional when it comes to their parents’ divorce.
Gray divorce is on the rise
When a couple over the age of 50 divorces, it’s considered a gray divorce. These are happening more frequently as people realize that there is less stigma around divorce. Many older married couples find they no longer have much in common after their kids leave home and they don’t feel the need to stay together simply for their children. But adult children can be shocked when their parents announce a divorce.
The children of older divorcing parents can feel deceived and wonder if their happy lives were built on lies. They may struggle with sharing their frustrations because they feel that as adults, they should be able to deal with it. When parents of adult children go through a divorce, it’s important that they consider the feelings of their kids and try to help them work through those feelings through therapy, support groups, or other avenues if they are having a difficult time coming to terms with the divorce.
The legal challenges of gray divorce
Those who divorce later in life can have many challenges, both legal and personal. There may be many more assets to be dealt with during the divorce process. While parents should try to help their children work through the emotional turmoil, they also need to focus on the legal challenges of a gray divorce. By working with an experienced New Jersey family law attorney, divorcees can get the help they need to get through the divorce and move forward with their new lives.