Nevada ranks first on list of most divorced states

Following a 2010 study, Nevada has been ranked as the nation’s “most divorced state,” with approximately 6.6 divorces per 1,000 people in the state. Certainly, there are a variety of possible reasons for Nevada’s disproportionately high divorce rate. In a CNBC analysis, the temptations of Reno and Las Vegas are blamed for the rank. However, there is likely more to it than that.

The study, which was conducted by the National Vital Statistics Report and the United States Census Bureau, found that financial stress is one of the most common reasons for divorce. Therefore, states and areas of the country that have been hardest hit during and following the recent economic recession reported higher numbers of divorces during the last census.

Because Nevada is also commonly seen near the top of other lists, such as those that indicate the worst housing market or unemployment rate, it makes sense that the state would also have a high number of divorces. According to the study, approximately 14.2 percent of the Nevada population has been through a divorce at some point.

Certainly, the economy is not the only factor to blame for the high divorce rate. The temptations of Las Vegas may sway a married person who has already contemplating straying outside his or her vows. In addition, Nevada’s family law system makes the divorce process relatively easy, at least in comparison to the legal requirements in other states. However, this certainly does not mean that a divorce in Nevada will be simple, especially for parties who have significant assets, children, and other factors that commonly cause disputes in family court.

Source: CNBC, “10 Most Divorced States,” Daniel Bukszpan, August 8, 2011