New figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have highlighted continuing growth in the number of “silver splitters”.
An ONS report published on 8 July revealed that in 2014, just over half (51.2 per cent) of adults in England and Wales were married or in a civil partnership and 33.9 per cent were single, while the overall proportion of divorced people was 8.2 per cent.
But the number of divorced people in the 45-79 age group was significantly above average, peaking at almost double the average at 15.5 per cent for 50 to 54-year-olds and 15.7 per cent for 55 to 59-year-olds.
The ONS said the overall percentage of divorced people had increased slightly between 2002-2014, adding: “This is being driven by the population aged 45 and over, who have seen larger increases in the percentage divorced than younger age groups…with the largest percentages divorced at ages 50 to 64 in 2014.”
Surjit Verdi, a solicitor in Palmers’ Family Law team, said: “No couple takes the decision to end a marriage lightly, particularly when it has lasted for several decades.
“Divorce at any age can be a stressful experience, further complicated by the fact that older couples in these situations may have accumulated more substantial assets – a family home, for example, or a valuable pension – that must be taken into account when making financial arrangements on divorce.
“Expert legal advice can be crucial in resolving financial and other issues and the non-confrontational approach followed by Resolution, of which the Palmers’ team are members, can be very helpful in settling matters in a constructive, non-court-based way. For more information on how we can help, please contact us.”