If you are going through a divorce in Florida, you’re not alone. According to state data and government reports, more than 500,000 people filed for divorce here in the past year.
Florida Divorce Statistics
Florida has an average rate of 3.6 divorces for every 1,000 people, which translates to a 3% to 4% divorce rate.
Have Divorces Gone Up in Florida?
According to the US Census Bureau, they’ve gone down. In 2020, there were three divorces for every 1,000 Florida inhabitants. In 1990, there were more than 6 divorces for every 1,000 Floridians. At one time, the state was even with Nevada, home of quick marriages and even quicker divorces.
How Does Florida Compare to Other States?
The following states have the highest divorce rates in the United States:
- Arkansas 11%
- Oklahoma 10%
- Nevada 10%
- New Mexico 10%
- Kentucky 10%
- Wyoming 10%
- Delaware 9%
- Utah 9%
- Kansas 9%
- Alabama 9%
These states have the lowest divorce rates in the country:
- Florida 4%
- District of Columbia 5%
- Maine 5%
- Pennsylvania 6%
- New York 6%
- Illinois 6%
- New Jersey 6%
- Iowa 6%
- Wisconsin 6%
- Massachusetts 6%
Florida Cities with the Highest Divorce Rates
Are you curious about which cities have the most divorces in Florida? Here they are along with the city’s divorce rate.
- Defuniak Springs 14%
- Starke 13%
- Live Oak 11%
- Lake City 10%
- Orange Park 9%
- MacClenny 9%
- Bartow 8%
- Belleview 8%
- Quincy 8%
- Auburndale 8%
Among the cities with the lowest divorce rate are Fort Walton Beach, North Palm Beach, Homestead, Tavares, Sarasota, Winter Park, and Panama City Beach, which all have a divorce rate of 3%.
The Aftermath of Divorce
Divorce is emotionally painful and can be financially costly. Nevertheless, many people feel that divorce is the only option after years of struggling to keep a marriage together, constant fighting, or repeated betrayals.
People going through divorce need support. One of the best ways to get that support is through a solid network of friends and family members.
Another important source of support is a good divorce lawyer. While a lawyer is not a personal therapist, the best lawyers are highly empathetic and knowledgeable about the law. A Florida divorce lawyer can help a person who’s struggling with their divorce manage the paperwork, court appearances, and financial implications of the divorce.
National Divorce Statistics
Divorce and marriage are here to stay. According to the U.S. Census, these are the current numbers for divorces in the U.S.
- Number of marriages: 1,676,911
- Marriage rate: 5.1%
- Number of divorces: 630,505
- Divorce rate: 2.3 per 1,000 population or 2.3%
Both marriage and divorce rates have decreased nationally. The marriage rate for 2020 was 16.3 per 1,000 women 15 and older, and the national divorce rate was 7.6
Divorce and Child Custody
National statistics show that divorced fathers spend less time with their children than those who stay married. According to government statistics, 27% of fathers never see their children after a divorce. Roughly 22% see their children once a week.
However, times are changing, and single-father households are now more common. According to marriage.com, 25% of single-parent households are now headed by men. Some of these men lost their wives to death, but others took custody of their children after a divorce. If you want to ensure a child custody decision goes your way, a Florida divorce lawyer can help.
Why Do People Get Divorced?
According to a U.S. Census Bureau survey, the top three reasons for divorces are incompatibility (43%), infidelity (28%), and money issues (22%). Several factors affect the chances that a couple will divorce.
Age at which they married: People under the age of 25 are 60% more likely to get a divorce than those who are 25 and older.
Religious beliefs: People with strong ties to their religion are 14% less likely to get a divorce.
Abuse: About 25% of divorces end because of domestic violence.
Income level: People at lower socioeconomic levels are more likely to get divorced than affluent people.
Facts About Divorce Law in Florida
Florida divorces are governed by Statute 61.052 or the Florida divorce law.
Florida recognizes only no-fault divorces, so you don’t need to prove adultery or abuse.
It is an equitable distribution state, meaning marital assets are divided equally.
State law permits five alimony types: temporary, durational, and permanent.
The state recognizes common law marriages and treats their dissolution like it treats all divorces.
One spouse must be a Florida resident for at least six months before filing for divorce.
How Florida Divorce Lawyers Help
Once you’ve made the painful, difficult decision to get a divorce, the right lawyer is your strongest ally in the courtroom. Studies have found that people who represent themselves in divorce court hearings have worse outcomes than those who don’t.
Divorce in Florida may seem straightforward, but it is ruled by many complex laws that can trip you up. Here are some pitfalls a Florida divorce lawyer can help you avoid.
Objective advice: Your story may be heartbreaking, but that doesn’t matter to the judge who will make the final decisions about alimony, child custody, and division of marital assets. The judge only cares about the facts, and your lawyer can present those facts in a calm, professional manner that gets the results you want.
Don’t try to face a judge, your former spouse, and your spouse’s experienced divorce lawyer on your own during an emotionally difficult time like a divorce. Let your lawyer take the lead on this.
Paperwork: Divorce requires mounds of paperwork. Judges rely on this paperwork. It must be filled out correctly and turned in on strict deadlines. Leaving out important information, even if you didn’t do it on purpose, will make you look like you’re trying to hide something. Don’t risk losing everything to a paperwork error.