Tennessee Has the 10th Highest Divorce Rate in the Nation
“Until death do us part” is a lovely sentiment, but in today’s world, not a realistic one. More people are getting divorced than they did several decades ago, for myriad reasons—we are living longer, more women are financially independent, and divorce is no longer as taboo as it once was.
It is likely you knew all of this already. What you might not know is that our home state, Tennessee, has a high rate of divorce. In fact, it is in the top 10 out of all 50 states, according to a study from 24/7 Wall St.
Divorce facts and figures
24/7 used Census data to put together their report, using data from 2015 and 2016. Their research found no regional correlations between states with high and low instances of divorce. However, they did find economic correlations. States with lower median family incomes tend to have higher rates of divorce, and states with higher median family incomes tend to have lower rates of divorce.
In Tennessee, there are 19.1 divorces per 1,000 married people, making it the state with the tenth highest divorce rate in the nation. The study also notes that Tennessee’s unemployment rate is 4.8%, meaning financial stressors could contribute to its high divorce rate. This makes sense, considering the state’s poverty rate, at 15.8%, is higher than the national average of 14%.
In case you were wondering, the state with the highest divorce rate in the nation is Arkansas, with 23.4 divorces per 1,000 married people. And the state with the lowest divorce rate is Massachusetts, with 12.3 divorces per 1,000 married people—and a low unemployment rate of 3.7%.
Filing for divorce
Statistics aside, every marriage is unique and so is every divorce. If your marriage is ending, you must make it a priority to understand your rights. Do you know how to file? When to file? Is it no-fault? At-fault? Going through a divorce can be an overwhelming process, but we are here to help.
If you are considering divorce, our law firm can help you with any and all aspects of the process:
- Residency requirements
- Separation
- Contested vs. uncontested divorce
- At fault vs. no fault
- Mediation
- Property division
- Alimony
- Child support
- Child custody
- Parenting plans
Some separations and divorces are amicable; some are not. Either way, it is important to protect yourself, your children (if you have any), and your assets. Even if your split starts out friendly, it may not end that way. It is just human nature.
At the Law Offices of Adrian H. Altshuler & Associates, we advocate for your best interests during this difficult time in your life. We will help you understand the divorce process from beginning to end and make sure nobody takes advantage of your good faith. If you need representation in the Franklin, Brentwood, or Columbia areas, call us at 615-977-9370 or contact us. We look forward to hearing from you.