An experienced Tulsa divorce attorney knows that divorce can happen at any point during a marriage, but a segment of the population where divorce is on the rise might be a surprise to many. The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) released the results of a survey in which 61 percent of the nation’s top divorce lawyers said there have been a spike in divorces for couples 50 and over. Not long after AAML’s report, NPR backed that up with a 2014 article and broadcast that stated that “Americans over 50 are twice as likely to get divorced as people of that age were 20 years ago.” The Tulsa divorce attorneys of Fry & Elder are aware of this trend and are experienced in handling divorce for older couples. Here a few things our divorce attorneys would like you to know about what is now referred to as “Gray Divorce.”
Why the increase in divorce for older couples?
It is difficult to say because all relationships are different and present their own unique set of circumstances. There have been some studies that suggest that the spike could be tied to the fact that many older people might be on their second or third marriage, but other studies indicate that over half of gray divorces occur between couples in their first marriage. This is might be attributed to the fact that life expectancy is higher than in years past and also because women are more financially independent and stable. Another theory on why older couples are going through divorce is because in some instances raising children together may be biggest thing a couple has in common. When the children grow up and move out that shared interest and investment also leaves to an extent. Growing expectations of how and what a successful marriage is probably is an additional factor in why older couples are growing apart at a more accelerated rate.
How can an experienced Tulsa divorce attorney help?
At the Tulsa family law firm of Fry & Elder, we cater and tailor to each individual’s specific needs, making sure that each case is given the attention and legal expertise it commands. Our team of family law attorneys are some of the most decorated in both the state and the nation. Robert G “Hap” Fry Jr. has been selected by the leading legal publication Best Lawyers® as its Lawyer of the Year for Family Law in Tulsa for 2016, and he has been listed by the same publication as an Oklahoma Super Lawyer every year since 2007 to validate himself as an accomplished and experienced Tulsa divorce attorney.
Fellow Fry & Elder divorce lawyers James R. Elder, M. Shane Henry, Aaron D. Bundy and T. Luke Bartueax also have collected their share of accolades. Elder, Henry and Bundy, along with Fry have each garnered the prestigious AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®, which is a testament to the fact that a lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence. Henry, Bundy and Barteaux also have been selected as Super Lawyers® Rising Stars™.
Collectively, the group has helped Fry & Elder achieve national recognition with the firm being recognized by the U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation’s Best Law Firms from 2014-2016. If you are experiencing any marital problems and are thinking about divorce, contact Fry & Elder today to consult with an acclaimed and experienced Tulsa divorce attorney.