Texas Divorce By The Numbers
Have a family law concern or need representation? Reach out to Raul Sandoval, Jr. and his team, Austin's trusted experts in divorce, prenuptial agreements, child custody, and family law.
Contact Us
Divorce is a personal matter. But if you’re going through a separation in Texas, you certainly aren’t alone. Here’s a rundown of divorce trends in the United States, and how Texas compares.
According to records, The current divorce rate per 1000 married women in the United States is 16.9. In Texas, it’s lower. In 2019, there were 2.1 divorces for every thousand people in the state. That’s a sharp decrease in number of cases from 1990, when there were 5.5 divorces for every thousand people. Divorce rates have dropped overall by 21.21%(Marriage rates have also fallen by around 14.08%.) After a year of lockdowns—and with a pandemic still raging—it remains unclear how divorce rates in the state have changed since.
Generally speaking, marriage and divorce rates have actually been dropping—perhaps, as recent studies suggest, because millennials wait longer to get married, and stay married longer.
Who’s most likely to get divorced? Some estimates suggest that 41 percent of all first marriages end in divorce. But there’s a lot of different numbers hidden in that figure. Nationally, 48% of people who marry before age 18 separate within 10 years. Get married around 20-25? 60% of those marriages don’t last either—those who wait to marry until after 25 are 24% more likely to stay together. (Most marriages that end in divorce last only about 8 years.
Commonly cited issues include cheating, fighting, unequal relationships, or physical/emotional abuse.
According to 2017 data, the highest divorce rate and number of cases recorded in Texas occurs in Lamar County, with an average of 5.7 divorces per 1000 people. Counties like Lampasas, Fayette and Tyler also rank highly. Bexar County had the lowest divorce rate, with zero reported divorces per thousand people. Franklin, Howard and Saint Augustine Counties all had an average of lower than one divorce per thousand people.
What’s the average cost and length of time for a Texas divorce takes? Most take 6 months to a year. (Since Texas has a mandatory 60 day waiting period for finalizing the divorce process, the absolute fastest the process can take is 61 days.) The average cost of a divorce in Texas runs between $15,000—$30,000. Some divorces are considerably cheaper, costing only a few hundred dollars, and some can run higher.
If you’re thinking about a divorce, it is best to consult with an experienced family law attorney—especially if there are children or multiple assets involved. Sandoval Law can help you figure out the best path forward. Contact us today to learn more.