California Divorce Rate – Latest Statistics (Updated 2024)

Millions of people go through divorce every year in the United States, a country where the divorce rate for first marriages is approximately 45%, and the rate for marriages after that is much higher. Among the states in the U.S. with the highest divorce rates, California is not currently one of them. However, many residents of California are getting divorced, and if you are one of them, you may want to seek the assistance of a California divorce lawyer.

Divorce Rate in California

In recent years, the divorce rate in California was around 9% per 1,000 population. This refers to the percentage of the population that is divorced in the state. Over the years, the divorce rate has been on a steady decline, not just in California but in the entire country. This could be due to several things, but studies have shown that marriage is also on the decline. In California, the number of people getting married each year has been dropping.

Lately, many people and couples have been waiting longer to get married for various reasons. Some are in no rush to get married, and others just aren’t interested in getting married at all. The societal norm of marriage is becoming less and less appealing to people of upcoming generations. This decline could be a direct correlation to the decline seen in divorce rates.

Factors That Influence the Rate of Divorce

There are several common factors that may influence divorce rates. These factors are not the same for everyone, though. It is important to recognize that each person and relationship is different:

• Finances. Having money problems is one of the top reasons people get divorced. It causes strain on a marriage, which leads to unwanted stress and arguments. Couples who are more financially secure tend to divorce less.
• Education. Couples with a higher level of education are often more likely to stay in their marriage. This could be because they wait to get married until after they have completed higher education, thereby being more mature, having more potential to earn more financially, or having developed better communication and problem-solving skills.
• Cultural and religious background. A person’s attitude toward marriage and divorce can be significantly shaped by their background. It’s different for everyone, of course, but many religions are against divorce, and certain cultures have expectations for a family dynamic. These factors can heavily influence a person’s decision to divorce their spouse.
• Age. Statistically, couples who get married between the ages of 20 and 25 are more likely to get a divorce than at any other age. On average, a couple will experience their first divorce around age 30.
• Children. It wouldn’t be correct to say a child can directly influence a couple’s decision to get a divorce, but many couples do choose to stay married for their children to have them grow up in a two-parent household, which they may believe is more stable than a single-parent home. There is a flip side to this. Some may choose to divorce to benefit their children — if they feel the environment they are currently in will do more harm than good.
• Compatibility. The compatibility of a couple plays a big role in how long their marriage may last. People who share the same priorities, values, and goals are likely to have a strong marriage that lasts.

FAQs

Q: What Is a Wife Entitled to in a Divorce in California?

A: In California, a wife may be entitled to half of all community property, which means an equal part of all assets, real estate, income, and vehicles acquired throughout the marriage. A wife may also be entitled to spousal support and child support if she makes significantly less than her spouse and has sole or joint custody of the children. The amount of spousal and child support depends on individual situations.

Q: What Are the Rules for Divorce in California?

A: There are a few key rules for a California divorce. The first and most important is anyone filing for divorce in California must be a resident of the state. They must also have held residency for at least six months, with three months being in the county where they are getting the divorce. This rule has some exceptions.

The next rule is the reason for divorce does not need to be proven since California is a no-fault divorce state. Another important rule is the filing spouse must serve the other spouse with a petition, and that spouse has 30 days to respond to the petition.

Q: Can a Spouse Refuse a Divorce in California?

A: A spouse cannot just outright refuse a divorce in California. If one spouse does not want a divorce, the divorce process can still go forward, and the court will make decisions regarding asset division, child custody and support, and spousal support.

The spouse being served with the divorce petition has a right to respond, but if a response is not submitted in the required time frame, the divorce will go uncontested. Even if a spouse does not want the divorce, responding to the petition allows their opinion to be heard on all matters.

Q: Is California a 50/50 Divorce State?

A: Yes, California is a 50/50 state for property division. Any property acquired during the marriage is to be split equally between spouses in the event of a divorce. The division may not be exactly 50/50, however. The court may rule for assets and property to be divided in an equitable way that is based on multiple factors. Assets or property the court may not include in property division proceedings include any gifts or inheritance one spouse received.

The Law Offices of Hollie A. Lemkin, APC: Your Trusted Divorce Attorney

If you are potentially seeking a divorce from your spouse and require a divorce attorney, contact the Law Offices of Hollie A. Lemkin, APC, for a consultation today. We will handle your case with the utmost care, be your personal advocate throughout the process, and make sure you get the optimal outcome for your case.