National statistics show that three Indiana cities, Anderson, Evansville, and Richmond, are among the top 25 cities in the country with the highest divorce rates.
Indiana’s High Divorce Rates
Every year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tabulates marriages and divorces for each state, while the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) tabulates marriage data at the sub-state level. According to both sets of data, Indiana has one of the highest divorce rates in the country.
Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, rates for cities with the highest and lowest divorce rates are calculated for all cities with a population of at least 20,000 people. Information includes people who are legally divorced, as well as people who have not remarried after a divorce. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Indiana has a divorce rate of 8 percent, compared to the national divorce rate of 10 percent.
A recent USA Today publication listed the top 25 U.S. cities with the highest divorce rates, based on certain criteria including city population; median age; median family income; average household size; and the average cost of divorce. Three Indiana cities made the top 25 list:
Anderson, Indiana – # 4
Anderson, Indiana (total population of 54,788) took the number four spot on the list. The city’s divorced population of 8,548 people is more than one-half of its married population of 17,481. Other statistics show a median age of 38; a median family income of $43,031; an average household size of 2.3 people; and an average divorce cost of $11,400.
Evansville, Indiana – # 7
Evansville, Indiana (total population of 118,952) took the number seven spot on the list. The city’s divorced population of 18,118 people is almost one-half of its married population of 37,312. Other statistics show a median age of 37; a median family income of $50,464; an average household size of 2.2 people; and an average divorce cost of $11,400.
Richmond, Indiana – # 25
Richmond, Indiana (total population of 35,653) was last on the list. The city’s divorced population of 5,169 people is a little less than one-half of its married population of 11,392 people. Other statistics show a median age of 39; a median family income of $50,499; an average household size of 2.3 people; and an average divorce cost of $11,400.
Although Anderson, Evansville, and Richmond made the top 25 list in USA Today, there are other Indiana cities with high divorce rates according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Cities include: Ellettsville; Elwood; Gas City; Linton; Martinsville; New Whiteland; Rochester; Rushville; Salem; and Wabash.
According to a new financial website, 24/7 Wall Street, Indiana has the sixth highest divorce rate among the 50 states. Although it is difficult to know the exact reason why divorce rates at so high, financial experts suspect that low incomes and financial problems may have an impact. Financial hardship is one of the most common reasons that couples file for divorce with a divorce lawyer.
Filing for Divorce in Indiana
Although Indiana is a “no-fault” divorce state, appropriate grounds for seeking dissolution must be declared in the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. The court will grant a divorce based on grounds of an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage (neither party is at fault) or grounds based on impotence, incurable insanity for a period of at least two years, or a felony conviction of either spouse.
At the time of filing a petition for dissolution, at least one party must have been an Indiana resident or stationed at an Indiana military base within six months immediately preceding the filing of the petition. Once the petition for dissolution is filed, there is a 60-day waiting period required by Indiana law. The final divorce may not be granted until the 60-day waiting period expires. After expiration of the waiting period, the parties may proceed to a final hearing to resolve their dissolution, however, it may take longer than 60 days, depending on the issues of the case and the court’s schedule.
Most Indiana divorce cases can be handled by an Indiana divorce lawyer who can provide legal advice on family matters such as division of assets, child custody, child support, and parenting time, then submit all required documents to the court. If a couple can not resolve their divorce issues through a divorce lawyer, mediation, or settlement conferences, court litigation may be necessary.
If spouses can not come to a mutual agreement on all issues relevant to their divorce, the court will set the remaining matters for a final hearing or court trial. If the case proceeds to a final hearing or a court trial, both spouses must be present with their divorce lawyer. The court will hear evidence on remaining issues from both spouses, issue a ruling on the issues, and grant the couple a divorce.