Divorces on the Decline in Florida

Marriages are on the increase in Florida, while divorces continue to decline. This is according to a recent report by the Florida Department of Health. Several news outlets are reporting that a 10 year decline in marriage appears to be ending, with more people marrying in 2014 than in 2013. Marriage advocates see these statistics as good news, especially considering the state’s previous rankings. In 2013, Florida reportedly earned a spot among the states with the highest divorce rates, coming in at number eight.

Some details of the Department of Health report included:

– About 7.4% of the population married in 2014. This is about 13,000 less people than 2006, when approximately 8.8% of the population entered into matrimony.
– In 2014, there were 54 divorces for every 100 marriages within the state. This represents the lowest percentage of divorce since 1960.
– In comparison with the national averages, the state of Florida performs more marriages and divorces over all.

Divorce Rate Explanations

Counselors and relationship professionals offer numerous explanations about Florida’s historically high divorce rates. An article in Divorce Magazine discusses the party atmosphere that exists in some Florida cities. When surrounded by temptation and a lifestyle that is not conducive to marriage, many couples are unable to maintain their commitment to one another. Another possible explanation is the trend of relocating to Florida. As discussed in the article, individuals move to the state for its tropical climate, expecting to better their lives and escape problems that may have persisted at their previous domicile. However, once settling in the state, they learn that the problems with their spouse persist and they choose to divorce.

Lenient Divorce Laws?

Florida’s marriage dissolution laws are also blamed for the high rate of divorce. Under state law, there are only two grounds for the dissolution of a marriage:

– The marriage is irretrievably broken – The state utilizes no-fault grounds for divorce, which means that neither party must prove that the other party is specifically at fault for ending the marriage. This takes issues like adultery, abuse, and abandonment off of the table for the purpose of obtaining a divorce. However, these circumstances may play a part in other determinations throughout the divorce proceedings.
– Mental incapacity of one of the parties – This applies when one spouse has been declared legally incapacitated. The declaration requires the testimony of psychiatrists, who must assert that the condition is irreversible with virtually no possibility of recovery. The period of mental incapacity must also last for three years before a divorce is granted.

Some marriage advocates argue that by not requiring spouses to prove specific grounds, the state makes divorce too easy, which keeps people from making a serious effort at maintaining their marriage. However, advocates of no-fault divorces champion the less adversarial nature of these proceedings.

If you are considering a divorce in the state of Florida, the attorneys of Vanessa L. Prieto, LLC can help you through the legal process. Located in Fort Lauderdale, our office serves Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach Counties. Call us today at 954-800-2362 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.