Empty nesters are parents whose children have grown up and moved out of the house. For many parents, this simply means that their children went to college, but it could also mean that they got married, moved into a home with roommates, joined the military, or took other steps toward independence.
No matter what this looks like, it is a major change for parents. If they have multiple children, they likely spent decades parenting and focusing on their children’s well-being. Once those children have moved out and it is just the parents living together in the home, it can often feel empty and very different than it did before.
Why would this cause a divorce?
There are a few reasons why empty nesters tend to get divorced at a higher rate, starting with the fact that some parents intentionally wait for this stage of life. A couple may have discussed getting divorced while their children were in middle school, for example, but decided to stay together until the children graduated from high school and became legal adults, believing this would insulate them from the effects of divorce.
In other cases, becoming empty nesters makes parents more aware of issues within their marriage. A couple that is solely focused on their children may not realize that they have communication problems or personality conflicts. Parenting takes much of their time and energy, so they may not see the issues in their marital relationship. After they become empty nesters, these issues can become more apparent, which may lead to divorce.
While empty nesters typically do not have to deal with child custody issues, property division can sometimes be more complex at this stage of life. Those who are going through a divorce should be well aware of their legal options.
