Your child graduates from high school and then leaves for college in the fall. It is a major change for them, of course, but also for your family dynamics. You have spent the last 18 years being a parent and providing various levels of care to your child on a daily basis, but that stage in your life has come to a close.
In some cases, couples in this situation end up getting divorced shortly after their child moves out. This is referred to as an empty nest divorce. But why would your marriage end just because your child has left home?
Focusing on parental roles
In some cases, what happens is that couples are focused on being parents. They set their personal romantic relationship aside and prioritize their children. Being parents is distracting, so they may not even notice that they have various issues within their own relationship. But when the child goes to college, leaving the spouses alone in the house, all of these potential issues become clear.
It could also be that the couple has been thinking about a divorce for a while. Some couples decide to put off divorce until their children graduate from high school simply because they want those children to have a bit more stability as they grow up. But once the child leaves for college, parents may feel that they have accomplished this goal and can now prioritize their own happiness as they move into another stage in their lives.
These are just a few examples of why an empty nest can lead to divorce, but be sure you understand all of your legal rights and the steps you will need to take if you find yourself in this position.