Julie Colton Discusses Key Factors Driving the Rise in Gray Divorce

Obermayer family law partner Julie Colton was recently featured in TribLIVE discussing the rise of “gray divorce.” The February 21, 2026 article, “‘Gray divorce’ on the rise as more seniors choose ‘I don’t,’” explores how more Americans 50 and older are ending their marriages. Data from the National Center for Family & Marriage Research at Bowling Green State University shows that nearly 40% of divorces now involve people in this age group.

Colton, who has practiced for more than 20 years in Downtown Pittsburgh, represents both men and women experiencing gray divorce. She points to two key life transitions that often contribute to these separations: becoming empty nesters and entering retirement.

“One is becoming an empty-nester and adjusting to a child-free home. The other is retirement, when one or both parties are no longer working,” Colton said. “That adjustment — spending more time in the home together — can lead to a reconsideration of the marriage. Most gray divorces are longer marriages. Sometimes I’m consulted before making a divorce decision so that they understand the entire process.”

Colton noted that some clients grew up with divorced parents and are motivated to avoid repeating that experience.

“They may be more likely to exit peacefully and avoid the fighting or the drama, because they want to avoid what happened to them, happening to their children,” Colton said.

But it’s not all gray skies in the gray divorce world.

“Sometimes,” Colton said, “I’ve had couples reconcile during the divorce process.”

Read the full article here.