Two decades ago, divorce rates for those over the age of 50 were relatively low. By that point, conventional wisdom seemed to indicate that husbands and wives would be contentedly settled. Family law and property division, many assumed, were mainly for those people in less-mature age groups.

A lot has changed in 20 years, however, including the ways in which older married couples seek to end their marriages. Today, divorce rates for the over-50 demographic are higher than ever. According to the National Center for Family and Marriage, one out of every four divorces now involves an over-50 couple.

What's also changing is the fact that it is increasingly women who are initiating divorce in this age bracket. Given their status as the first generation of women with the ability to be financially independent, it's not surprising that many baby-boomer wives are essentially saying, "enough is enough."

Other factors undoubtedly contribute to this increased divorce rate: the decision to marry for love instead of cultural approval or economic gain, the lessened stigma of cohabitation, and their generation's attitude toward personal freedom and the pursuit of happiness.

In addition, baby boomers of both genders are living longer, and many realize they still have 20 or 30 good years ahead of them. "This is the first generation of women to say, 'I don't have to sacrifice the rest of my life in a marriage that doesn't make me happy,'" noted Rosalind Sedacca, founder of the Child-Centered Divorce Network.

People in Texas who are considering a divorce owe it to themselves to speak with an experienced divorce attorney who can apprise them of all their options.

Source: Palm Beach Post, "After age 50, women are divorcing at double the rate of 20 years ago," Barbara Marshall, February 7, 2012