Global News: Divorce Age on the Rise - Insights from Shulman & Partners

As divorce rates rise among Canadians over 55, so-called grey divorces are becoming a significant family law issue. A recent Global News segment explored how later-life separations often carry heavier financial consequences than divorces earlier in adulthood. With retirement approaching or already underway, couples may be dividing assets they once relied on for long-term security. Shulman & Partners LLP contributed legal insight to this discussion, helping contextualize why these divorces can be particularly disruptive and what separating spouses should be prepared to face when navigating property division and future financial planning in Ontario.

The Global News report highlights a growing trend among baby boomers choosing to separate after decades of marriage. Statistics Canada data shows that a significant portion of Canadians over 55 are now divorced or separated, a shift that reflects changing social attitudes and longer life expectancy. However, the emotional decision to leave a long-term marriage is often followed by unexpected financial realities.

Shulman & Partners LLP emphasized that grey divorces tend to involve more complex financial considerations than those involving younger couples. Unlike earlier separations, where individuals may still have time to rebuild assets and earning capacity, older spouses are frequently dividing pensions, homes, and retirement savings with limited opportunity to recover financially.

One of the most common surprises for separating spouses is the treatment of pensions. Many individuals do not realize that pensions accumulated during a marriage are considered divisible property under Ontario family law. This can significantly alter post-divorce retirement plans, particularly when both parties were relying on a single pension income.

The segment also underscored the importance of careful decision-making. Interviewees noted that while emotional clarity is essential, rushing into a divorce without fully understanding the financial implications can lead to long-term hardship. Later-life separations often require reassessing housing, employment, and lifestyle expectations, sometimes under tight timelines imposed by the court.

For families navigating grey divorce, the discussion reinforced the value of early legal and financial guidance to understand obligations, entitlements, and realistic outcomes before making irreversible decisions.

Watch the full Global News segment here.

This media appearance is part of Shulman & Partners LLP’s ongoing contributions to Canadian family law discussions. Explore more of our media features in our In the Media  archive.