Divorce rates are falling across the UK, except for one age group: the over-50s. New figures from the Office for National Statistics show that overall divorce decreased by 2.9% between 2012 and 2013, but the 'silver separators' are bucking the trend.
Experts suggest that many couples stay together for the sake of their children, only to separate once the kids have left home. Increasing longevity also plays a role, with many middle-aged couples unwilling to face decades of unhappy cohabitation.
A survey by the family lawyers' group Resolution found that eight out of 10 children of divorced parents believe a split is preferable to an intact but unhappy marriage. The cost of divorce can range from £3,000 to £30,000, depending on the level of acrimony.
