Divorce at 75

I was much younger but I noticed your post in Unanswered so I thought would bump this to hopefully get you some responses OP. Good luck though.

I divorced in my 60’s after 42 years of marriage. Should have done it earlier, have never regretted it. I was financially independent which made it easier and I am so much happier since. I think you can divorce at any age, you only have one life. I drove home from work one day , parked in the drive and thought I can’t do this anymore . I filed the next day

I divorced at 60 and wish I’d done it sooner. Nevertheless I am so glad I did. Came out of it with very little financially but I’m a different person. I love being single and pleasing myself. Best thing I ever did

I left my husband when I was 75 and divorced when 77. I am now 83 and living a comfortable and peaceful life on my own with no regrets.

Separated at 49, after 25 years of marriage, divorced at 56 Been on my own since then. No regrets.

Split up with coercive husband and divorced at 73 two years ago, Last year ghastly. No regrets.

We only have one life, gransnetters. My Ex had serious MH issues he couldn't own up to, but I do appreciate how tough it must be if you have a caring role or if AC's are hostile.

I am getting used to enjoying my own company most of the time. Eat, TV, my music, messy house, or tidy, no one else to fuss.

I do appreciate having a lap top and being able to chat at any time of day though. Makes all the difference.

My marriage ended over twenty years ago when he had an affair. We have remained friends, though, but the more time I spend with him now the more I realise how unhappy I must have been in the marriage. The main thing that I do find difficult in old age is being very poor compared to how I would have been, not being able to help our children financially and worrying about coping with a possible knee replacement on my own. Getting old isn’t much fun but it’s better with financial security than without it.

If you're asking then it means you're not happy. Do it now before it's too late. Don't stay married because it's 'easier' (which I do understand). Enjoy your twilight years in peace and quiet and doing what YOU want to do when YOU want to do it. No more walking on eggshells. No more pandering to a 'man-child'. You can sometimes get an hour's free advice at some solicitors. Good luck.

Not me but after cooking the same meals on rotation for 50 odd years, plus other idiosyncratic ways my friend divorced her husband in her 70’s. She said she was well rid and enjoyed a good amount of years without him. Best thing she did apart from having the kids she said.

If you're asking then you're not happy. Don't waste any more time. Do it. You can maybe get a free hour's advice at some solicitors. Enjoy your twilight years in peace and quiet, doing what YOU want to do when YOU want to. No more walking on eggshells. No more pandering to a 'man-child'. Don't settle for being unhappy because it's 'easier'. Good luck.

There is no best age to divorce. Ask yourself does he may you more unhappy than happy. And there you will have your answer. I wish you well in your life moving forward .You deserve peace and happiness. I divorced at 55 and have never regretted it. No more chaos. Just peace. It's bliss.

I got divorced at 51 after being married since I was 19.
If you can look at your finances and see that you are going to be secure in the future, then definitely go for it.
Do you have a property to sell? does you husband have a private pension or other assets.
You can you most of the administration for divorce yourself and the local court clerk can answer some questions on completing this.
It's called a Form E, looks complex when you recieve it but probably will not apply anyway.
All keeps the cost down, but if you need a pension sharing order that will need a solicitor.
Just take care of yourself after: emotionally, financially and physically and you'll be fine I'm sure.

I agree with DizzyDenise. If you're not happy, do it. Immaterial of age.

I have been divorced twice. One very short marriage and the second too long.

I've been single about 18 years now. Bliss.

I heartily agree with previous answers, but if you have children it might be an idea to sound them out, too.

Well I divorced someone who had less income than me, so I'm better off and I couldn't afford tough operations and I know my resources would never cover decent top up fees. But dont have to worry about heating or any other basics. Better happy than stay unhappy.
I cold never quite understand my Ex MiL. she lived for a long time with a real swine of a husband years after the children needed her. I asked her about it. she said, "what, lose all this" looking round what was not riches but a suburban 4 bedroomed house. She worked as a theatre nurse too, had her own career. I think she had grown a thick skin and ignored his nasty bits frankly. could never really understand why.

But at 78 she met a slightly younger man who loved her to bits and cared for her till she died.

Life has many strange and surprising things!

Thankyou for all your responses, it seems that everyone agrees. Do it sooner rather than later....I will be taking first steps soon.

I don’t think it’s ever too late to divorce. I divorced at 50 and haven’t remarried and am very happily single at 68. All
the best.

I divorced my husband in my thirties with no regrets. My older sister stayed in her awful marriage for 37 years, leaving him when she was in her mid sixties. She went on to enjoy 9 happy years and never had any regrets.

No one should live in misery.

Very good luck, and a happy new year to you thinkfree

My husband and I parted company when I was 70 after a miserable 40 year marriage. However there was no good reason to divorce so we are “estranged”. At the time we sold our property and I was able to buy a small house. He had to rent after living with our son didn’t work out. I am very happy on my own and glad I took up social activities like the WI. It’s great to eat when I like, go out when I like, watch what telly I like etc. However at 81 I still drive and he doesn’t (he’s 90) so I take him shopping and take his washing. I just wish he’d taken the decision for us to part 30 years sooner.

I left my marriage of 40+ years -3 years ago. I was 66 . He was a drinker , MH problems etc. was so frightened of him - moods & verbal abuse . We divorced this year , an online amicable one approx £500 .
The first year was an emotional rollercoaster , how family & friends react can come as a surprise/ shock.
I was still working so financially viable , since retired . I have built up a wonderful social friendship group . I don’t regret it - maybe I should have done it sooner but you just know when the times up - Good luck 🤞

I wouldn't sound out children first. Frankly, it's not their decision to make but yours. I'm glad you are making a start. I was divorced at 42 and am now in my late 60s. It's the best decision I made.
Tell him your decision to split. If he is likely to be aggressive, have someone with you.
Contact a lawyer for advice regarding property etc.
Open a separate bank account as soon as possible. Move half of any money from a joint account into it.
Collect all your paperwork, including pension evidence as I presume you are both retired. Any stocks and shares? ISA? Passport etc
Begin to disentangle by no longer doing his washing not cooking for him etc. Be careful about this. My ex was furious because I hadn't booked the hairdresser for him and created a massive fight in front of her.
Share with your friends and family your decision but be clear it's your decision and not theirs. I wish you lots of luck and happiness

I'd start by ringing a solicitor first. She was recommended and shall always be grateful as she was efficient and kind and supportive and always pointed out when to save money.

It's usually 30 mins free advice, it needed an hour for me.

I'd open my account and get all papers in order and make a proper list of them and account numbers, whose name they are in etc before telling him.

The newish No Blame divorces are a real blessing. You don't have to prove fault. But the cost depends on whether he fully co-operates or not, as if "not" then time and serving court orders can be involved. Even then, the overall bill was a little over £1.200

Just my experience.

Divorced my ex in my late 40s after 17 years of mostly unhappy marriage. This was despite having no qualifications, employment or savings of my own, having been a stay at home mum for 16 years. He completely walked out of his children's lives paying no child support even taking redundancy from his employment (I suspect to punish me).
His solicitor was better than mine so I'd ended up with big debts and having to buy him out of the house. Worth every penny!
Graduated with an honours degree 9 years later then an MSc a year later, started working and am now in a a work role I'm passionate about, (albeit in a poorly paid sector but by my choice). I have never regretted leaving him. Our children have flourished and this year I have been divorced longer than I was married. I wish I'd done it years before