When it comes to divorce, there are various trends. You may have heard of the “seven-year itch,” in which many couples split at around year seven of marriage. The new trend is when couples divorce once the children move out.

And this is not always intentional. Of course, there are those couples who are only staying together for the children. Once the last one graduates high school, the couple starts the divorce process.

But an empty nest divorce is a little different. Sometimes couples do not assess their marriage until the children leave the home. Once the kids move out, many couples wonder: Now what?

Many couples find out that the children are the glue holding the marriage together. Once it is just the spouses, things often become different. What do they do? What do they talk about?

They may realize that the love is gone. There is nothing keeping them together anymore, but is divorce the answer? Here are some things to consider.

Is the Marriage Still Worth it?

Kids benefit when their parents stay together. But now that it is no longer an issue, is the marriage worth it? This question may not be easy to answer, so you may need help from a therapist.

But keep in mind that your idea of a relationship can change. Do you want to continue living together? Should you try a living apart marriage? Or is divorce the best answer? You and your spouse should decide what will happen next.