The Law Office of Lynn H. Sturges
  • Home
  • About
  • Practice Areas
    • Divorce
    • Child Support
    • Child Custody And Visitation
    • Unwed Fathers’ Rights
    • Grandparents’ Rights
    • Prenuptial / Postnuptial Agreements
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
Select Page

Georgia city ranks 11 in gray divorces

On behalf of The Law Office of Lynn H. Sturges | Jul 23, 2020 | Divorce

While many locals may think that divorce rates are being driven up by younger people, the fact is that it is actually Baby Boomers driving up divorce rates, in so called, gray divorces. Nationally, the gray divorce rate has doubled, taking over the majority of divorces in the U.S. About 25% of people getting divorced are 50 or older. This is in stark contrast from 1990, when it was only one in 10. In fact, a neighboring city to Atlanta, Columbus, is ranked 11 in the US in gray divorces.

The rankings

SmartAsset used U.S. Census Bureau data to rank the top 25 U.S. cities in grey divorces. The Census Bureau maintains marital status data in 133 of the largest U.S. cities. The data is not a point in time count, but it does give a snapshot of the numbers, which was last collected in 2018.

Denver, Colorado, took the top spot. Of their residents 65 and older, 28% were divorced. Columbus, Georgia, ranked 11 in the US in gray divorces at 23.3%. This actually tied the 10 ranked, Birmingham, Alabama, and just behind Portland, Oregon, at 23.4%.

What’s behind the numbers?

For Baby Boomers, when they entered their marriages in the 1950s, gender roles were rigidly defined, and husbands just needed to be good providers and wives only needed to be good wives and mothers. Now though, couples seek fulfillment within their marriage.

In other words, Baby Boomers are now looking at what their marriage provides them, not what they are providing to their marriage. They want their spouse to be more than simply a mate. They want a best friend, sidekick, sounding board, etc. When one or both spouses in a couple find their expectations are not being met, they may start looking into a divorce.

These gray divorces though, while starting because one does not see their soul mate anymore, they do have financial consequences. Gray divorcees have a 19% poverty rate, compared to 1% to 3% for married seniors and 13% for widowed seniors.

Those numbers show that protecting one’s financial resources in a divorce is extremely important. With a financial/legal professional though, gray divorcees can protect themselves.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

Recent Posts

  • Why are divorce loans increasing?
  • Tips to keep in mind when executing a prenup
  • Psychologists & their role in a child custody case
  • Custody and parenting plans are decided with the child in mind
  • Divorce: Ways to protect yourself

Archives

  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019

Categories

  • Child Custody
  • Child Support
  • Divorce
  • Firm News
  • Grandparents’ Rights
  • Post-Divorce Modifications

RSS Feed

Subscribe To This Blog’s Feed

FindLaw Network

We Can Help Resolve Your Toughest Family Legal Issues

The Law Office of Lynn H. Sturges

234 Luckie St
Lawrenceville, GA 30046

Map & Directions

678-235-9466

Review Us
  • Follow
  • Follow
Client Distinction Award 2015
Avvo Clients' Choice Award 2017

© 2021 The Law Office of Lynn H. Sturges. All Rights Reserved.

Disclaimer | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Business Development Solutions by FindLaw, part of Thomson Reuters