Baby boomer divorce rates are climbing

A recent study completed by the National Center for Family and Marriage Research shows that divorce rates are climbing up among the baby boom generation in Wisconsin and across the nation.

While most divorce numbers have declined over the past 20 years, the study shows that the divorce rate among people aged 50 and over has doubled.

Some experts suggest that the causes for the increase can be found within the attitudes and abilities of the generation itself. Baby boomers are more likely to have enough money to manage after a divorce. There tends to be less squabbling over dividing the assets because there is usually more than enough to go around. On the other side of the coin, financially strapped marriages can bring about tension that can lead to a divorce.

Infidelity has been identified as a reason that pushes couples apart. Some research suggests that infidelity is the catalyst that pushes marriages to the end in nearly two-thirds of cases.

Children getting older and leaving home also tends to be a major driving factor behind older couples divorcing.

Some experts believe the trend will continue to rise among adults in the 40 to 65-year-old range. Rates, however, are expected to decline as boomers get older.

Baby boomers considering divorce need to evaluate what is going to happen with their assets. Once the assets have had a value placed on them, decisions on marital property division can take place. If you have questions about divorce or property division in Wisconsin, an experienced family law attorney can help.

Source: Fox Business, “Why So Many Baby Boomers are Getting Divorced,” Casey Dowd, 6/23/2011