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Will an Empty Nest Lead to Divorce?

Towson Divorce Lawyers discuss changes that can come with an empty nest and divorce. It is not uncommon for parents to get caught up in homework, planning meals, shuttling kids to their activities and before they realize, they have forgotten to spend time together. For many couples, empty nest syndrome and the feeling of loneliness and loss after kids have all grown up and moved away is incredibly painful. The detachment couples feel when they have no one to care for can impact the marriage and lead to an empty nest divorce. 

How Empty Nest Syndrome Changes a Marriage

According to the National Center for Family and Marriage Research, couples age 50 and above are twice as likely to get a divorce now than they were in 1990. People are living longer than ever, and they want to make sure their golden years are just as fulfilling as young adulthood.

It is easy to overlook red flags in a marriage when you are caught up in homework and soccer games. But when the house is quiet once again and you find yourself with the free time you always wanted, are you going to look at your partner and find a stranger?

The following are some of ways empty nest syndrome changes a marriage:

  • Conflicting feelings about the empty nest: Every parent handles an empty nest differently. Some relish their newfound free time; others feel lost without children to care for. Couples who are not on the same page about how to approach this new stage of life may feel even more distant from each other.
  • Fears for the children: Most parents will tell you they continue to worry about the kids long after they have gone to college or started their own families. Feelings of anxiety and worry take a toll on any relationship, especially a marriage. Partners who do not feel safe or validated to share their feelings and receive support from their spouse are likely to retreat from the marriage.
  • Neglecting to care for the relationship: Couples who focus all their time and energy on the children often realize too late they have forgotten to tend to their marriage. When they finally have the time to spend together, they may learn they have little in common.
  • Change in priorities: Who you were as a new parent is probably much different than who you are by the time your children enter adulthood. With age, our needs and goals evolve. If the picture you imagine for your future does not align with your partner’s, you may decide to move on separately.

Towson Divorce Lawyers at Huesman, Jones & Miles, LLC Help Clients Prepare for the Changes that Come with Divorce

While many couples are able to pull through empty nest syndrome with their marriage intact, others agree that divorce is the right choice for a relationship that has run its course. Our experienced Towson divorce lawyers have the knowledge and the skill to handle the unique concerns of clients divorcing after a long marriage. We offer a free initial consultation to answer your questions about the division of assets, spousal support, and grandparents’ rights. Call Huesman, Jones & Miles, LLC at 443-589-0150 or contact us online to schedule yours today.

With offices in Towson and Hunt Valley, we represent clients throughout the state of Maryland, including those in Baltimore, Bel Air, Columbia, Westminster, Essex, Monkton, Sparks, Parkton, Howard County, Harford County, Carroll County, and Baltimore County.

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