Sonya and Dell Curry, a longtime couple and the parents of sports icon Stephon Curry, recently announced their plans for divorce. The couple had been married for 33 years, and the split seemed like a shock to many, but their separation fits into the ongoing trend of a gray divorce—divorces occurring in couples over the age of 50.
The adjudication and finalization of divorce agreements can be complicated, substantially impacting lives. You need skilled and experienced representation on your side. The Westlake Village divorce attorneys at the Law Offices of Ronald K. Stitch can ensure fairness and prepare you for the next steps in your life.
The Gray Divorce
The Curry couple has joined the ranks of other so-called power couples like Bill and Melinda Gates, Jeff Bezos, and Mackenzie Scott—couples who had raised children together for a long time and are well-regarded for their work in various fields.
They are also part of a growing trend in America—the Gray Divorce—Divorce occurring after age 50. US divorce rates for younger adults continue to fall, while the rates among the 50-and-over crowd have roughly doubled since 1990.
According to Pew Research data. More than 25% of Americans filing for divorce are over the age of 50. This statistic includes older adults who had been previously married. Second and third marriages have a higher risk of divorce than first marriages.
In 2020, The Journal of Family Issues published a study illustrating the cultural and societal shift where members of the Baby Boom generation are more accepting of divorce now than people in the 1960s. A majority of adults, 50 and over, stated divorce is the best solution for couples with irreconcilable differences.
Longtime couples often have common reasons to initiate these gray divorces, including:
- Growing apart
- Gender-related power imbalance
- Infidelity
Sometimes, these reasons work in tandem. Couples who have spent years building finances and raising children spend much time with their spouse since the kids moved out. The intimacy fades, the relationship weakens, arguments ensue over respect and appreciation, and resentments build.
Couples change and grow as they age. Sometimes, they do this together, and other times, they look outside of the marriage for an intimate connection, and infidelity happens.
On the road to marriage, couples often stop to reassess their relationships—some find reasons to plow ahead, and others look for the next off-ramp.
When Should I Contact A Lawyer
Parting ways in a marriage is a series of detailed steps, but sometimes, the steps of a divorce can lead both parties to their best interests. Divorces consist of a legal tangle of issues that both spouses must agree upon before the divorce can be finalized. A few of the typical problems include:
- Equitable division of all marital assets between spouses
- Equal division of any debts acquired by either party
- Agreeing on spousal support payments if necessary
When you need to take that first step, contact the Westlake Village divorce attorneys at the Law Offices of Ronald K. Stitch for a free consultation by clicking here or calling (818) 707-0202.
