Divorce has changed over the years. It’s not the same thing that it was for the previous generation or for their parents. The first key to seeing this change is just to consider the stigma around divorce. Once thought of as taboo, it is now far more widely accepted and people simply view it as an option they have when trying to determine what is best for them, their spouse, their children, and their life in general.
One example of the change is the development of no-fault divorce. You can still blame your spouse if you want — if they were unfaithful to the marriage, for instance — but you don’t have to do so in order to have a judge grant the divorce. No-fault divorce means that you can simply decide you want to end the marriage without blaming anyone or proving that you should be “allowed” to do so. It’s your life and your choice. Louisiana does go a bit farther than other states in that it requires you to live apart from your spouse for a while first, but it’s still possible.
Another change is the increase in gray divorce. Thirty years ago, you may have heard someone say they didn’t want to get divorced because of what their grandparents would think. Today, those who are 50 and older have the fastest-growing divorce rate in the country. Couples of all ages decide to end their marriages, from the young couples who got married a year ago to the older couples who have been together for 20 years — or who are already in second marriages.
Since divorce has changed so much and continues to do so, it is important for those who are considering it to make sure that they know what steps to take in this modern age of divorce to achieve your goals and best protect your interests.