An increasing number of New Zealand couples are ending their marriages later in life in a phenomenon known as "grey divorce".
Stats NZ data showed the amount of divorces that involved people aged 50+ last year was 39.9% — up 7.1% in 10 years.
Divorce coach Bridgette Jackson said retirement and children leaving home can be stressors in a relationship.
"They've been together for 30 years, and they're going, 'I don't want to be in this relationship anymore'.
"Coming to retirement age, one party might want to stay at home while the other party wants to go travelling."
Jackson said many couples stay in their marriages "for the sake of the children" but that it can end up having "massive ramifications".
"Adult children get affected massively, a lot have to emotionally support their ageing parents."
Women were the predominant initiators of separation, Jackson said: "They're feeling the pressure of the emotional and mental load in the relationship, and they just go, 'I've had enough, I'm out of here, I'm done'."
She said anyone wanting to separate should be preparing before the end of the relationship.
Getting on top of finances and making sure your next steps are in place is crucial, she added.
"Don't just leave, make sure you do it the right way."
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