Divorce Rates

There is a wealth of information pertaining to current divorce rates and trends in the United States. Statistics show that divorce rates have been declining since 1981. The percentage of the population that is married has been in decline, however, since the 1970s. Seventy two percent of the population was married in 1970, as compared to 59 percent that was married in 2002.

This might reflect the fact that people are waiting longer to get married now as compared to the 1970s. The average age for marriage in 2002 was almost 27 for men and 25 for women. Divorce rates show that the average age of divorce is 30.5 for men and 29 for women. The average length of a marriage that ends in divorce is between seven and eight years.

Divorces rates show that Nevada has the highest rate of divorce, while Massachusetts has the lowest divorce rates, according to a 2002 government report. Divorce rates reveal that around forty to fifty percent of all marriages will end in divorce. However, this statistic is a bit too general because there are several factors that determine the likelihood of divorce.

For married persons who have been married for many years (around 30) the likelihood of their marriage ending is very improbable. Divorce rates show that married persons whose parents have never divorced are much less likely to get divorced themselves. People whose parents are divorced are almost twice as likely to get divorced as people whose parents are still married.

Divorce rates reveal that people who get married younger (early 20s) are much more likely to get divorced than people who marry after the age of 25. Remarriages are also more likely to end in divorce than first marriages. Couples who cohabit before marriage are also more likely to divorce than couples who did not cohabit prior to marriage.

Divorce rates show that approximately 95 percent of the population will get married by the age of 55. The likelihood of new marriages ending in divorce in 1997 was 43 percent. Divorce rates from 1997 reveal that approximately 2.5 million people get divorced each year. The average length of the divorce process is one year.

One million children are affected by a new divorce every year. In 1997, divorce rates show that child custody was awarded to the wife 72 percent of the time, to the husband nine percent of the time, and joint custody accounted for 16 percent of all custody cases. Divorce rates show that a woman''s standard of living drops 30-45 percent after a divorce. Women are also seven times more likely to be stalked by their former spouse than men are.

In light of these divorce rates statistics, it is important to seek legal counsel when considering or going through a divorce. Divorce attorneys can protect and maximize your legal rights in a case.

Related Resources

Divorce Lawyer Source - Features excellent articles regarding divorce topics including money and child custody. The site also features divorce attorneys throughout the United States.

Divorce Central - Divorce laws by state. Legal, emotional, financial and parenting information. Bulletin boards and chat.

Houston Divorce Lawyer - Carl Selesky, helping families in areas in and around Houston, Texas.

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