Florida Divorce Rate 2024 – Latest Statistics

After decades of rising divorce rates in this country, from the 1970s to the early 2000s, the rates have somewhat stabilized. In fact, it seems like divorce rates may finally be on the decline. The following blog dives more into Florida divorce rates and the latest statistics around the country.

A Look at Florida’s Divorce Rate Compared to National Trends

Data from the U.S. Census Bureau finds that divorce rates have decreased slightly between 2011 and 2021. In 2021, the divorce rate fell to 6.9 per 1,000 women, compared to 9.7 in 2011. The Census data found other interesting facts about marriage rates across the country, including:

• Alaska and Utah had some of the highest marriage rates in the U.S., with 23.5 and 22.3 marriages per 1,000 people, respectively.
• Puerto Rico had some of the lowest marriage and divorce rates, with 4.7 marriages and 3.9 divorces per 1,000 people. These low rates are likely due to the high migration of young adults, especially after Hurricane Maria.
• Massachusetts also had one of the lowest marriage rates at 11.8 per 1,000 people.
• Idaho and Arkansas had among the highest divorce rates in the country, at 11.1 and 11.0 per 1,000 people, respectively.
• New Hampshire had one of the lowest divorce rates at 4.3 per 1,000 people.

Noting that January is known as “divorce month” among family law divorce attorneys due to the uptick in divorce filings, a Florida NBC affiliate reported that Florida has the sixth-highest divorce rate in the country.

• World Population Review found that Florida had a 3.4% divorce rate, meaning 3.4 divorces per 1,000 women.
• Nevada had the highest divorce rate at 4.2%, followed by Oklahoma at 3.8%, Wyoming at 3.7%, and both Alabama and Arkansas at 3.6%.
• In 2021, there were nearly 700,000 divorces across the 45 states that collected this data, compared to about 2 million marriages.
• The review also noted that the average age for couples getting their first divorce is 30 years old.
• Couples who marry between the ages of 20-25 have a 60% chance of divorcing, while those who marry after the age of 25 are 24% less likely to divorce.
• The study found that Northeastern states generally have the lowest marriage and divorce rates, while Southern and Western states have the highest rates.
• A U.S. Census Bureau survey revealed that the top three reasons for divorce are incompatibility (43%), infidelity (28%), and money issues (22%).

The United States has one of the highest divorce rates of any country in the world. The study cited by NBC found that between 35% to 50% of first-time marriages end in divorce. That figure increases to 60% for second marriages and more than 70% for any marriages after the second marriage.

How to File for Divorce in Florida

Filing for divorce in Florida requires at least one spouse to a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. Florida law requires that at least one spouse lives in Florida for a minimum of six months before they can file for divorce. It’s important to note that only lawful marriages can be legally dissolved through the courts.

Once the case is filed, there is a 20-day waiting period. After the waiting period has ended and both parties have come to agreements on all matters related to the divorce, a judge can review the case and issue a Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage. Couples who are able to agree on the division of assets and other matters ahead of time may be eligible to file a petition for simplified dissolution of marriage.

FAQs

Q: What Percentage of Marriages End in Divorce in Florida?

A: In any given year, 3.4 women per 1,000 women in Florida will end their marriage. This makes Florida the sixth-highest-ranking state for divorce in the country. However, Nevada leads the country with a divorce rate of 4.2 per 1,000 women. Research has also found that couples who marry in their early 20s have a higher chance of divorcing than adults who marry later in life.

Q: Which State Has the Highest Divorce Rate?

A: Nevada currently has the highest divorce rate in the country with a rate of 4.2 per 1,000 women. Oklahoma has the second-highest divorce rate at 3.8, and Wyoming has the third-highest divorce rate at 3.7. Divorce rates across the country have been slightly declining, which is possibly due to a concurrent decline in marriage rates.

Q: Is Florida a 50-50 Divorce State?

A: Florida follows the legal principle of equitable distribution. This means that the courts seek the fair and equitable distribution of marital assets and debts between both spouses during divorce. Because of these rules, everything is not often divided 50-50. Instead, assets are divided fairly to each spouse.

Q: What Are the Two Top Reasons That People Get Divorced in Florida?

A: The most common reason for divorce in Florida is irreconcilable differences. This is because Florida is a no-fault state when it comes to divorce. When filing for divorce, most spouses list “irreconcilable differences,” which simply means the marriage cannot be fixed, and both parties would be better off if the marriage ended. Another ground for divorce in Florida is when one spouse is deemed mentally incapacitated.

Work With Florida Divorce Lawyers You Can Trust

Florida’s divorce rate ranks among the highest in the country. If you are contemplating filing for divorce or were recently notified that your spouse filed for divorce, you should work with a family law firm that can support you throughout the process. At Fairway Law Group, our experienced family lawyers work to protect your rights and interests, all while providing you with superior representation and legal aid.

To schedule a consultation with one of our trusted attorneys, please contact our office today. Our team is prepared to help you through difficult times.