No one gets married with divorce in mind. But over time situations and people change, and a couple may decide that separating is the best option. According to the American Psychological Association, about 40% to 50% of married couples in the U.S. end up getting divorced. However, divorce rates each year vary quite a bit by state.
Divorce Rate in Missouri
A survey by Lending Tree puts the rate of divorce in Missouri near the middle compared to other states. In 2016, there were more than 2.5 million married individuals in Missouri. In 2017, 44,321 couples divorced in Missouri. That represents a 2016-2017 divorce rate of about 1.8%.
Highest Divorce Rate in the U.S.
While divorce rates vary state-to-state, the results also vary greatly across the country. Neighboring Arkansas reported the highest rate of divorce a 2.4%, with 29,908 divorces among the 1,236,468 married population. Kentucky, Alabama, and Oklahoma are the other states with the highest rates of divorce in 2017 (all above 2%).
Lowest Rate of Divorce Rate is in Hawaii
At the other end of the spectrum is Hawaii, which reported the lowest rate of divorce. Of the 592,193 married population in Hawaii, there were 5,952 divorces in 2017, with a divorce rate of 1.0%. New York had the second-lowest divorce rate among the 50 states and Washington D.C.
Missouri’s neighbor to the east, Illinois, had the third-lowest rate of divorce in the U.S. At 1.2%, there were 63,102 divorces in 2017 out of the married population of 5,061,911.
Missouri’s Divorce Rate is Decreasing
In almost every state, the rate of divorce has decreased over the past decade. Ten years ago, Missouri’s divorce rate was 2.1% (0.3% higher in 2007-2007 compared to 2016-2017). Arkansas was one of the few states that had an increase in divorce rates from ten years ago.
Divorce Process in Missouri
Going through a divorce can be difficult and extremely stressful. Missouri is a “no-fault” divorce state, meaning spouses do not need to prove fault or wait out a separation period before filing. Residents must have lived in Missouri for at least 90 days before filing, and once a petition is filed, state law requires at least 30 days to pass before a judge can enter a final judgment of dissolution (RSMo §452.305). In an uncontested divorce, the process can be relatively straightforward. However, a contested divorce can take months to settle on terms of:
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A divorce in Missouri can have lasting effects on your life, the living arrangements of your children, the quality of your life, and your financial state.
