California Divorce Rate 2024 – Latest Statistics

When a couple gets married, they certainly don’t plan to get divorced and are hoping it will never come to that. Unfortunately, though, the reality of life is that even the most hopeful of plans sometimes don’t work out. Some marriages will inevitably end in divorce. Much is made of whether divorce is on the rise and happening more frequently, but the reality is it’s hard to know for certain, as we can tell when we look at the California divorce rate.

California Divorce Rate

Understanding divorce rates can be somewhat challenging. For instance, for the last several years, the divorce rate in California has been under 10%, with a slight downward trend settling at just under 9% as of 2022. The question is whether or not this indicates much about whether or not fewer marriages end in divorce.

There’s not actually a database that tracks each marriage until it’s end whether in divorce or the death of a spouse. The best we can do is look at divorce rates and compare them to marriage rates. In that we find a similar downward trend where marriage rates were close to 6.5% a decade ago and sit in the low 5% today.

From this, we can take a couple of things. One is that divorce is outpacing the rate of marriage. The other is that while there are few divorces happening, there are also fewer marriages, so it’s not clear whether the likelihood of divorce is lesser or greater than usual.

Reasons for Divorce

Marriages and divorce are complicated. There’s an almost endless list of reasons that people get divorced, but in many cases, they fall into some general categories, including:

• Incompatibility. There are some situations when people simply grow apart and realize that they can’t work together in ways that they used to. They may have different values or priorities than they used to. This incompatibility can lead them to realize that divorce may be the best option for them moving forward.
• Marital Infidelity. One of the most harmful things to a marriage can be infidelity. In many cases, even when couples try to move forward, the trust that is broken in these situations can lead to the end of the marriage.
• Financial Issues. Finances are always a sensitive subject, and it can be especially difficult to manage them with another person. Often, financial differences can reveal other ways a couple may have grown incompatible. For instance, a difference in how funds should be allocated can be the result of differences in priorities.
• Domestic Violence or Abuse. There are times when a marriage can become a dangerous situation for one spouse or the other. This will often lead to a divorce as a means of protection from the harm the other causes.
• Conflict. Persistent conflict and disagreement can be a significant factor in divorces. Again, this is another issue that reveals a general level of incompatibility that has emerged between the two spouses.

FAQs

Q: Do Divorces in California Require a Period of Separation Before Filing?

A: California divorces do not require a period of separation before someone is able to file for divorce, as may be required in other states. However, this does not mean that California does not have a waiting period of a different kind. In California, the waiting period follows the filing of the divorce. Six months are required to pass after a divorce is initialized in California before it can be finalized.

Q: How Long Does It Take for a Divorce to Be Finalized in California?

A: How long it takes for a divorce to be finalized in California can differ significantly on a case-by-case basis. While there is a minimum of six months that must pass between a divorce being initiated and finalized, there are times when an amicable divorce process can be finalized reasonably close to that six-month mark. However, a contentious divorce could be quite a different circumstance, and some have been known to drag on for a long period.

If you want to avoid a long divorce process, working with an experienced divorce lawyer can help.

Q: Is Someone Going Through a Divorce Required to Have an Attorney in California?

A: Someone going through a divorce is not required to have an attorney in California. However, just because it is not a requirement does not mean it is not a wise decision to work with a divorce lawyer. Divorces are complicated, and their emotional nature can only add to the complexity. That is why it is often beneficial for someone to have the knowledge, experience, and the clear-mindedness of a lawyer on their side.

Q: Is Divorce Expensive in California?

A: Divorce can be expensive in California. It is important, though, to think about the potential costs and impacts of a divorce. What is decided in a divorce has a significant impact on the financial futures of the parties involved. The results of the property division, spousal support, and child support matters will significantly impact future finances. That is why the resources spent on a divorce, such as hiring a talented lawyer, can be an investment that protects some of your future financial circumstances.

If You Are Considering Divorce, Creative Family Solutions Can Help

While no one expects to get divorced, there are times when it becomes the only option available. The process of divorce can be complicated, messy, and emotionally draining. It is not easy to untangle your life from someone you have been with for so long. Issues like property division and spousal support will need to be sorted out. If there are children involved, there will also need to be child custody and child support arrangements made. It is a challenging process to go through.

One of the most impactful ways to help ease some of the difficulties of going through a divorce is by having a skilled and experienced lawyer to represent you. Our team at Cianci Law, PC, has experience working with people through divorces of all kinds, amicable and contentious. Our legal expertise and compassionate approach may be what you need to help you through your divorce. Contact us today to discuss your situation to find out how we may be able to help.