Aerial drone shot of a residential neighborhood and community pond in Texas.

Pearland Legal Blog

Family Law & Estate Planning Attorney

When facing a family law, estate law or other legal matter, it is important to work with an experienced attorney who can help you understand your options and protect your interests. At The Powell Law Firm, we have more than 20 years of experience protecting people in Pearland, Houston and the surrounding area in Texas.

Get In Touch With Us Today

July 25, 2018

|

On behalf of The Powell Law Firm

| Divorce

Which States Have the Highest Divorce Rates?

Texas Has One of the Highest Divorce Rates in the Country

According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, the crude divorce rate for the state in 2016 is 4.2 per 1,000 residents. When hearing this figure, many people wonder, what does this number actually mean? Without significantly more information, it is difficult to put that type of number into the proper perspective.

In this article, our Pearland, TX family law attorneys offer some useful guidance on how divorce in Texas stacks up against the rest of the country. We highlight the states with the highest divorce rates, the states with the lowest divorce rates, and take a look at the latest trends for divorce in Texas.

The States With the Highest and Lowest Divorce Rates

The best state-level divorce data comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The data referenced here is for the year 2016, and it is listed on divorce per 1,000 residents basis. According to the CDC, the U.S. states with the highest and lowest divorce rates are as follows:

The States With the Highest Divorce Rate

  1. Oklahoma (4.4)

  2. Nevada (4.3)

  3. Texas (4.2)

  4. Wyoming (4.2)

  5. Idaho (4.0)

The States With the Lowest Divorce Rate

  1. Iowa (1.3)

  2. Illinois (2.0)

  3. Massachusetts (2.3)

  4. South Carolina (2.5)

  5. New Jersey (2.6)

Notably, the states with the lowest and highest divorce rates can change relatively quickly. In 2016, Texas had the third-highest divorce rate in the entire country. However, a few years ago, Texas was closer to the middle of the pack. At the same time, certain states, such as Iowa, have consistently maintained a divorce rate that is far below the national average. Whereas other states, including Oklahoma, have consistently been one of the highest divorcing states.

The Long-Term Divorce Rate in Texas is Falling

It is worth mentioning that, after decades of increasing, the long-term divorce rate in Texas is beginning to reverse. The most comprehensive data we have regarding Texas divorces comes for the Annual Statistical Reports for the Texas Judiciary. Among many other things, this report provides information regarding divorce filings in Texas for every year from 1989 through 2014. Over this 25-year span, the number of divorces being filed in our state is remarkably stable:

  • In 1985, approximately 140,000 new divorce cases were filed in Texas.

  • In 2014, approximately 135,000 new divorces cases were filed in Texas.

This is a major drop in the divorce rate. While divorce filings are stable, the Texas population has increased by nearly 80%. There are nearly 13 million more people living in Texas than there was 25 years ago.

Do You Need Help From a Texas Divorce Lawyer?

Our legal team is here for you. At The Powell Law Firm, our top-rated Texas divorce attorney has been Board-Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. To get immediate family law help, please do not hesitate to contact our law firm for a fully confidential, no obligation initial consultation.

Get In Touch With Us Today
Request a Consultation

To schedule a meeting with an attorney, please call 832-850-6095 or complete this contact form. We’ll be in touch with you as soon as possible.

Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required.

Disclaimer

What Our Clients
Have To Say

  • “I wanted to take the time to thank you [John Powell III] for helping me through a tough time in my life. Your guidance and voice of reason really helped me more than you will ever know. I had a previous attorney that I felt could have really cared less about me or the situation. Once on board with you, I felt an immediate difference and I was thankful for your quick response. I could not have finished this process without you and I am glad you were able to have so much hands on time with me. Again, thank you for everything you did for me and my son!”

    (S.R.)

  • “John Powell III was very helpful through the entire process of my divorce which involved a custody fight over my 3-year-old daughter. Mr. Powell has a strong working rapport with the Brazoria County family court. He was very patient, walking me through every step, knowing what to expect from my wife's attorney. We were ultimately successful and I would highly recommend him. As for my daughter, she is doing great. She has advanced to the preschool 2 class early, she is now 3.5 and now goes to school with the 4-5 year old's. Her emotional and behavioral issues have disappeared. Thanks to Mr. Powell's hard work my daughter will have a great chance at life.”

    (K.K.)

  • “Just wanted to say thanks for handling my post-divorce property division issue in a timely and professional manner. Especially your attention to detail and some quick-witted humor as well. Your firm was referred to us by a friend which can always be somewhat awkward but you made us feel at ease through the entire process. I would not hesitate to recommend your firm to anyone if the need arises.”

    (J.B.)

  • “Dear Mr. Powell: I want to thank you for your great service and express my gratitude. I am extremely pleased how everything was handled and I have the highest possible opinion about your professionalism, the quality of your service and your attitude toward me as a client. Thank you again, best regards.”

    (M.K.S.)

  • “I had what I learned was not your stereotypical divorce case. John Powell III was extremely understanding of the situation and worked with myself and my former spouse to navigate the legal pitfalls in our, and our children's case. Everything was resolved amicably and with minimal impact to our family. Without Mr. Powell's assistance I do not know that we would have gotten to such a positive place.”

    (A.W.)

  • “John Powell III is a compassionate and thorough attorney. My case was a complex custody issue that required work in two wide-spread counties. Mr. Powell was able to efficiently overcome this added challenge. He is patient and clear in explaining concepts of the law. Even after the case was closed, Mr. Powell was available to explain the final judgment and to help ensure we were following the Judge's intent. It is very comforting to know that if additional issues arise he is there to act as my advocate.”

    (R.T.)

READ MORE TESTIMONIALS