Divorce rates among men over 65 have risen by 23 per cent. And for women it is up by 38 per cent. One in six divorces involves someone aged over 60.
One big reason is longer life expectancy so with decades of life left, many people see retirement as a fresh start and an opportunity to reflect on what really makes them happy.
The empty nest moment comes later too as children are often living at home far longer than they used to.
The biggest worry is often pensions and sharing them fairly, especially if one partner took a career break to raise children. Older divorcees also need to consider health and care needs, future support, medical expenses and assisted living.
Many older couples own their homes outright and leaving the family home for a smaller property can be tough.
Estate planning and gifting become obstacles too. After decades together, couples might have made gifts to children or set up trusts. These can get messy during divorce, especially if one partner hoped the assets were out of reach but now finds out the family court can unravel those plans.
And it’s not just about money and logistics. Divorce later on in life can be an emotional shock, with people unexpectedly finding themselves facing uncertainty or loneliness in retirement.