The concept of “gray divorce” has been gaining attention recently, particularly with the news of former India cricketer Virender Sehwag’s divorce from his wife Aarti Ahlawat. This term is also being discussed in relation to other high-profile separations, such as that of Bollywood veteran actor Kamal Haasan and his wife Sarika Thakur. But what exactly is a gray divorce? It refers to the divorce of couples who are 50 years old or older. In today’s era, where both husbands and wives often have their own careers, deciding to separate after two to three decades together can lead to complex legal issues, including property division, elimination, and retirement benefits.
When couples who have spent 20-30 years together decide to divorce, they often have accumulated a significant amount of property. The term “gray divorce” is used to describe this situation, where the focus is on navigating the challenges of dividing property and other assets. Alimony is a crucial aspect of gray divorce, as the court considers factors such as the length of the marriage, the age and health of both parties, and their financial situation when determining the amount of support to be provided. The court’s goal is to decide who should receive what benefits and in what proportion.
Several well-known celebrities have gone through gray divorces, demonstrating that this phenomenon is not limited to any particular segment of society. In addition to Virender Sehwag and Aarti Ahlawat, other notable examples include Bollywood actor Kamal Haasan and his wife Sarika Thakur, as well as Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and his wife Melinda French. These high-profile cases highlight the increasing prevalence of gray divorce and the need for couples to be aware of the potential implications and challenges involved.