What Is the Divorce Rate? (And Other Divorce Facts)

The rise of no-fault divorce in the 1970s increased the number of people ending their marriages. However, not all divorces are the same from a legal perspective. Some important factors include the duration of your marriage, your age and health, and your employment history. Some spouses will be able to request more financial support than others, while all men and women should pay close attention to the financial changes everyone experiences  from a divorce.

At Hamilton O’Neill, we provide family law services in the Miami area, with a special focus on high-end divorce. Call our law firm if you are considering divorce.

1.4% of Married Women Get Divorced Each Year

Pew Research calculated the refined divorce rate most recently for 2023. This is the number of divorces divided by the number of married women, which is then multiplied by 1,000. In 2023, that number was 14.4, which translates into around 1.4% of married women getting divorced in a year.

This number is lower than the peak in 1980, which was 22.6%. The rise of no-fault divorce in the 1970s created a rush of people headed to divorce court, which crested in 1980. Since then, the divorce rate has dropped substantially.

40% of Divorces Happen in the First Decade of Marriage

Pew found that 16% of divorces in 2023 took place in the first five years of marriage. Another 24% happened between five and nine years. In all, 40% of those who get divorced have been married for less than a decade.

The duration of your marriage will impact possible alimony. For marriages that last less than 10 years, there is a presumption against long-term durational alimony in Florida. Instead, you might only receive temporary or bridge-the-gap alimony. Most people with shorter marriages will only receive alimony to the extent it helps them get back on their feet.

Divorced Men Are Less Likely to Be Employed than Married Men

Pew reports that only 73% of divorced men between ages 18 and 64 are employed. That is lower than the 88% of married men who are employed. Unsurprisingly, both divorced men and women have lower household incomes than married couples.

We encourage our clients to think carefully about what marital assets they want after divorce. Some assets will increase in value over time, which might be important for someone who may struggle to get back in the workforce.

About 2 out of 3 Divorced People Get Remarried

Remarriage is common in the United States. Before taking another trip down the aisle, however, you should meet with an experienced lawyer. Remarriage might be the time to negotiate a prenuptial agreement to protect assets, including any legacies you intend to leave to children from your first marriage.

9% of Men and 4% of Women Live with a Stepchild

Blended families are increasingly common. Parents should consider whether they want to adopt their stepchild. Doing so can provide greater security that you will still have a legal right to see the child if your marriage ends in divorce.

Contact Hamilton O’Neill to Discuss Divorce

Our firm can advise you of your rights and options. We handle the entire process, from negotiation with your spouse (and their lawyer) to mediation and presenting issues to a judge. Call us to speak with a Miami divorce lawyer.

Source:

pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/10/16/8-facts-about-divorce-in-the-united-states/