In 2002, the state of Georgia had one of the lowest divorce rates in the US with only 25 divorces per 10,000 people. However, just within a decade, the state of Georgia has the eighth highest divorce rates in the nation. Find out why.

1. Divorce and Family Law Attorneys with 50 years of combined
experience in successfully representing clients.

2. Will Your Marriage Last? Reasons for
High Divorce Rates in Georgia
In 2002, the state of Georgia had one of the lowest divorce rates in the US
with only 25 divorces per 10,000 people. However, just within a decade, the
state of Georgia has the eighth highest divorce rates in the nation. The
drastic change is shocking and appalling. This sudden change has sparked
the question of “what are the reasons for the change?” and “what are we not
seeing behind the statistics?”
Are Georgians to Blame?
Despite the fact that the statistics do represent a huge increase for divorce
in Georgia, other extraneous factors should be considered. Within the past 5
years, the rate of marriages decreased by around 40%, which is a main
contributor to the increase in the statistical representation of divorce cases
across Georgia.
Beyond the Statistics
Overlooking the fact that marriage rates have decreased and thus inflated
Georgia divorce statistics, we can pinpoint reasons for the increase in
divorce rates. Our struggling economy is one of the main speculations as to
why the divorce rate has increased drastically in the past 5 years.
Generally, the average income rates for states in the South have been much
lower than the national average. Lower income rate and a bad economy can
cause marital strife and complications.
The second reason for high rates of divorce is the young average marriage
age. Many young couples in the South choose to get married at an early
age. Lower income rates and younger marriage rates go hand in hand.
Couples who get married at an older age are more mature, have higher
chance of finishing college, and statistically able to make more money.
The third reason for high rates of divorce in Georgia and the South is due to
the lower than average number of couples who take part in higher
education. Data shows an inverse correlation between lower education and

3. higher divorce rates. More education leads to a higher awareness of family
values and maturity, leading to higher chance of a successful marriage.
FYI: Georgia Divorce Laws
Georgia has 13 grounds for divorce
Must reside in Georgia for at least 6 months before filing for divorce
You can get your uncontested divorce in Georgia 32 days after official
papers have been received by the defendant
Children over 14 can decide which parent has custody
Both parents must provide financial support for each child until the age
of 18
Kitchens New Cleghorn, LLC
2973 Hardman Court Northeast
Atlanta, GA 30305
(404) 239-3932
http://www.knclawfirm.com/atlanta/
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Resources:
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/cats/births_deaths_marriages_divorces/marriages_and_div
orces.html