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Tucson is Ranked 8 and Mesa 13 of American Cities Where Divorce Rates Have Been on the Rise
Tucson is Ranked 8 and Mesa 13 of American Cities Where Divorce Rates Have Been on the Rise
When you get married, it’s meant to be forever. Right?
These days, it seems like when people say, “’til death do us part,” they actually mean, “’til I find someone hotter” or “’til it stops seeming like a good idea.”
The divorce rate continues to hover around 50 percent, which means that half of all those couples you celebrate at the altar will eventually call it quits — including you. You have about the same odds at a roulette wheel. Would you throw down your entire life savings on red or black? Now how do you feel about essentially doing the same thing at the altar?
In some parts of the country, the divorce rate is even higher. According to data compiled by Moose Roots, Tucson and Mesa are among the top 25 cities in the countries to experience the biggest rise in the number of divorces.
Mesa ranked number 13 on the list. In 1970, 3.76 percent of the population was divorced. In 2010, the percentage had risen to 11.53. That’s a 202.63 percent jump.
Tucson ranked number 8 on the list. In 1970, only 4.5 percent of the population was divorced. By 2010, 14.09 percent were divorced. That’s an increase of 213.33 percent.
Reasons for Divorce
The data compiled by Moose Roots did not include information on why the divorce rate is rising, particularly in those cities. However, a number of reasons have been suggested by various experts and studies.
To start, divorce law has changed drastically in the last 100 years. It used to be that you had to show cause to get a divorce, such as that your spouse cheated on you or that you were being abused. In the 1950s, the concept of a “no fault” divorce was introduced. People were then allowed to get a divorce just because things weren’t working out anymore.
Even when divorce became more accessible, some laws were still in place to limit it, such as extended separation periods before a divorce could be granted. Some states, such as North Carolina, still require these extended separation periods, but many others do not. Arizona does not require a legal separation before a divorce can be granted, but there are benefits to getting one, such as retaining health benefits before the divorce is formally granted.
As the laws became more permissible, more people got divorces. By 1970, most states had no-fault divorce laws, and the divorce rate soared.
As more divorces were granted, divorce also became a more socially acceptable idea. It used to be unheard of for a couple to get divorced, which made it a shameful thing to do. As it became more socially acceptable, more couples felt free to file for divorce, which contributed to the rising rates.
As social attitudes continued to change, co-habitation also became more socially acceptable. More couples now live together before they get married. For some, that means that they never feel the need to get married (and, therefore, never get divorced). For others, living together has been shown to increase their risk of divorce. Therefore, the increased incidence of co-habitation has also contributed to the increased rate of divorce.
Some point to the rise of female employment as a reason for the rising divorce rate. In the 50s, most women worked at home raising children and taking care of the house. Yet by the 1970s, more women were working outside the home and making their own money. They did not feel as reliant upon their husbands for their financial stability, and they felt they had more options outside of marriage. Therefore, many felt more free to get divorced.
Finally, trends have shown that divorce begets divorce. Not only do people who have previously been divorced typically get divorced again after being re-married, but the children of divorced parents are also more likely to get divorced. All of these factors contribute to a rise in divorce rates across the board.
Working with a Divorce Lawyer
However, many people are wary of taking such a step because they feel that it shows that they are not serious about the marriage from the start.
Whether you have a pre-nuptial agreement or not, it is important that you work with a divorce lawyer if you are considering getting separated or divorced. There is a plethora of information online now about how to get a divorce, and forms are available to let you do it yourself. However, there are many complex issues involved in a divorce, and attempting to handle these matters on your own puts you at risk of losing out on important assets you acquired from the marriage.
The right Mesa divorce lawyer can help you understand your rights and can put together a case to fight for an equitable distribution of assets, as well as the child support and alimony that you rightly deserve.
If you are facing the prospect of separation or divorce, we urge you to call My AZ Lawyers today. A divorce lawyer from our team can help you understand your rights and build a case to get the assets to which you are entitled. Our attorneys can also uncover hidden assets and financial information that your spouse may be hiding from you.
If you have children, a family attorney from our team can also help you understand Arizona laws and fight for the child custody and support arrangement that you want. With the right attorney on your side, you can make the process of divorce and a child custody fight a little easier — if these things can ever said to be easy. Call us today to find out how our Mesa attorneys can help you.
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My AZ Lawyers
Mesa Location:
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Mesa, AZ 85202
Office: (480) 448-9800
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Tucson, AZ 85701
Office: (520) 441-1450
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