Celebrity splits have always been big news. During COVID-19, some have created bigger headlines than others, like the Bill and Melinda Gates divorce. Couples who aren’t in the spotlight, however, are also living through their own high-stress, financially taxing divorces, thanks in part to the side effects of trying to maintain some semblance of normalcy through an unprecedented pandemic.
Reasons for the Rise in Divorce After the Pandemic
Divorce rates hit a 50-year low in 2019 in the United States after a decades-long rise. This plateau, unfortunately, may prove to be a brief affair. The pandemic has put incredible strain on couples because of:
- 24/7 togetherness
- Little social contact with others
- Job loss and financial problems
- Physical changes
- Mental and emotional challenges
- Virtual or homeschooling of the kids
For many, the pandemic was the last straw in an already shaky union. And still more realized they were using the rest of their life as maintenance or escape from a marriage that didn’t make them terribly happy – and being forced to live with their partner around the clock required them to see their union for what it really was.
COVID Causes an Increase in Gray Divorces
Many of the divorce cases that have been initiated in 2021 are gray divorces between empty nesters and couples over age 50. Divorce rates for adults in this demographic have almost doubled since the 1990s, according to the Pew Research Center. For adults over 65, the divorce rate has tripled.
Many couples have looked at the pandemic environment as a precursor to retirement with their significant other – and they don’t like the scope of it. They may not have the same views about how to spend their free time, or they may discover they don’t really have much in common with their partner anymore after many years together.
While many people drag their feet in pursuing a divorce because they fear being alone, time in isolation with their partner has shown them that being alone may be preferable to spending excessive amounts of time with the wrong person.
Make the Right Choice for Your Marriage
It doesn’t matter what age you are or how long you have been married – plenty of younger celebs called their marriage quits in 2020. If your union is over, it’s over, and it’s time to talk to an experienced Michigan divorce lawyer.
There is no shame in reaching the conclusion that your marriage is over, and that it wasn’t built to make it through a challenge like the pandemic. For many, moving on is the healthiest thing you can do for yourself – emotionally, mentally, and physically. You just want to make sure that all the decisions that happen now are done in your best interest and the best interests of your children, from determining parenting time to child support to who’s paying for college.
Contact Michigan Divorce Help in Macomb County to schedule your free initial consultation. Learn everything you need to know about divorce mediation, divorce arbitration, and other options for having a peaceful divorce.