Divorce is a scary possibility for young couples. The stunning realization that your spouse may not be “the one,” plus the high costs associated with divorce have the potential to create nightmares. This situation is further complicated by social factors like shared friends between the couple siding with one person and leaving the other with less of a support network
With those considerations, a 24/7 Tempo 2024 study found some interesting trends on where divorces are more and less likely to occur. This data helps illustrate the factors outside of a relationship that goes into the decision-making process of a divorce.
Which States Have the Most Expensive and Least Expensive Divorces?
Where you live has a huge impact on potential divorce costs. Most notably, states have different procedures that create different legal fees. Spouses in different areas may accumulate varying amounts of shared property and have different numbers of children, potentially adding thousands of dollars in unforeseen fees.
As the 2024 data suggests, there is over a $9000 difference in averages between the most and least expensive states for divorces without children. Since divorces without children are “simpler,” they serve as adequate baseline comparison measures between states.
- The most expensive state averages for divorces without children:
- California (Average divorce cost: $17,500)
- New York (Average divorce cost: $17,100)
- Delaware (Average divorce cost: $16,200)
- Massachusetts (Average divorce cost: $15,900)
- New Jersey (Average divorce cost: $15,600)
- The least expensive state averages for divorces without children:
- Montana (Average divorce cost: $8,400)
- Kentucky (Average divorce cost: $10,200)
T-3. Nebraska (Average divorce cost: $10,400)
T-3. North Dakota (Average divorce cost: $10,400)
T-3. West Virginia (Average divorce cost: $10,400)
Location plays a large role in determining divorce costs. To see further discrepancies in a divorce culture, it is important to examine where divorcees are most and least prevalent in communities.
Which Cities Have the Highest Divorce Rates?
Another 2024 24/7 Tempo report examined the proportion of divorced residents in cities with a population of at least 20,000 people. The data excluded cities with more than 15% of the population either enrolled in college or employed by the armed forces, to account for college towns and military bases.
This study used the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2018 American Community Survey, which defines “divorced people” as those who have been legally divorced but have not yet remarried. Although this definition is not perfect to measure divorce rates — especially when comparing divorcees with no intention of remarrying with people in multiple divorces who have remarried — it is a good guideline for measuring the statistic.
The data suggests state procedures and divorce rates go hand-in-hand. Since some states have less-stringent or shorter divorce processes, couples may have fewer barriers to successfully filing for a divorce. Florida, which has three of the 10 highest divorce rate cities, is a no-fault state which has lower reasoning criteria to file for a divorce. As such, fewer barriers may increase the local divorce rate
The 10 cities with the highest divorce rate are:
- Lealman, Florida, (20.2% divorced population)
- Florence, Arizona (20% divorced population)
- South Bradenton, Florida (19.9% divorced population)
- Anderson, Indiana (19.1% divorced population)
- Clifton, Colorado (18.7% divorced population)
- Jackson, Michigan (18.6% divorced population)
- Evansville, Indiana (18.5% divorced population)
- Pahrump, Nevada (18.5% divorced population)
- Bellview, Florida (18.5% divorced population)
- Chillicothe, Ohio (18.4% divorced population)
Surprisingly, some of the states with the costliest divorce price tags also have the highest rates of city separation. Florida (the 15th costliest divorce state) comprises three spots on the top 10 highest city divorce rate list. Colorado, the 9th costliest divorce state, also makes an appearance at #5.
Which Cities Have the Lowest Divorce Rates?
On the other end of the spectrum, states with complicated or expensive divorce processes tend to have lower divorce rates. Each of the top 10 lowest divorce rate cities is located within one of the five most expensive divorce average states.
- The 10 cities with the lowest divorce rate are:
- Kiryas Joel, New York (0.8% divorced population)
- Monsey, New York (1.8% divorced population)
- Arvin, California (2% divorced population)
- Lakewood, New Jersey (3% divorced population)
- Dix Hills, New York (3.4% divorced population)
- Plainview, New York (3.8% divorced population)
- Bell Gardens, California (4% divorced population)
- Garden City, New York (4% divorced population)
- Old Bridge, New Jersey (4.2% divorced population)
- Maywood, California (4.3% divorced population)
Interestingly, many of these cities also have large religious populations, with Jewish ultra-Orthodox communities comprising the four cities with the lowest divorce rates. Likewise, cities with larger-sized families typically have lower divorce rates as well. For this reason, religion and cultural norms regarding divorce may be a driving factor in restricting divorce rates.
While there are many different factors that go into individual divorces, cultural and procedural elements will affect divorce rates in metropolitan areas. This may mean that environmental factors may hold a large swing in determining whether or not a couple divorces.
Examining these Divorce Factors
Since the state level handles divorce, discrepancies are bound to happen nationwide. Between navigating different state procedures and complicated spouse relations, divorces can take a lot out of a person. Adding an experienced divorce attorney is an essential step to achieving the best divorce result possible, particularly at a time when your case may be on hold due to the pandemic.
“Divorces are complicated and may become more complex as the courts get backed up due to COVID-19,” says Attorney Tammy Begun of Capital Family Law Group. “Therefore, anyone considering or going through a divorce needs an attorney who thoroughly understands all of the procedures and can organize a case. Doing so can help save money in an already expensive divorce process.”
Whether you live in a state with expensive divorces, cheaper divorces, or somewhere in-between, the process will definitely cost you. Divorce proceedings force each ex-spouse to put everything on the table before ending their relationship entirely. To protect you and your loved ones’ well-being, it is crucial that you do your homework and find a hardworking divorce lawyer to handle your case.
In the long run, it is easier to hire a quality divorce attorney to lead your case from the beginning than to risk ineffective counsel and a poor divorce settlement in the end. Be sure to consider your unique circumstances and local situation when examining the divorce process. Understanding the divorce process can help you understand what you will go through and the total commitment you and your divorce lawyer must make.