Divorce: Florida-Style

Behind every statistic, there’s a story

Florida Experience Magazine is exploring the process of divorce in Florida in our four-part series, “Divorce: Florida-Style.”

Part One

If you’re reading this, perhaps divorce is weighing on your mind—or maybe you’re already in the thick of it. Or you might simply be divorce-curious. If you live in Florida and you're researching divorce, you’ve got plenty of company.

Florida has a reputation for high divorce rates. We’re regularly in the top ten, year after year. While the national divorce rate has dipped a bit over time, Florida’s numbers stay stubbornly high. This isn’t just trivia—it says something real about how families, relationships, and even our laws work differently here.

Maybe you’re just starting to consider divorce. Maybe it’s already underway. Or maybe you want to get a better sense of what’s happening in The Sunshine State. Either way, you’re in the right spot. In this series, Florida Experience Magazine will explore the latest numbers, what’s driving people apart, and why divorce in Florida comes with its own set of rules. We’ll also explain when talking to a divorce lawyer isn’t just smart—it’s necessary if you want to protect your future.

What’s the Divorce Rate in Florida Right Now?

Let’s get straight to it: Florida’s divorce rate is about 3.4 per 1,000 people every year. By comparison, the national average hovers around 2.3 to 2.5 per 1,000, according to the CDC. That means divorce is about 40–50% more common here than in most other places.

Why does this matter? Because while divorce is slowing down across most of the country, Florida is still a hotspot. There’s no single culprit. It’s a mix of social, economic, and demographic factors—details that make Florida stand out (and we’ll dig into those in a second).

But behind every statistic, there’s a story.

Every divorce is a couple, a family, and very often, kids, all trying to figure out what’s next. For every divorce, there was the promise of “‘til death do us part.”

In this series, we’ll share personal stories of Florida men, women, the attorneys who represent them, and the children who, more often than not, experience the brunt of the emotional consequences of the separation of their family.

Why Does Florida’s Divorce Rate Stay So High?

So what is it about Florida? Why do we see more splits here than almost anywhere else?

It’s not that Floridians don’t care about marriage. The state just has a unique mix of factors—everything from who lives here, to how people live, to the laws themselves—that make divorce more likely.

Let’s break it down:

1. Gray Divorce Is Getting More Common

Florida is famous for its retirees. Nearly one out of every five people here is over 65. And more and more of them are going through what’s called “gray divorce”—splitting up later in life.

When the kids are grown and retirement kicks in, some couples realize they’ve grown apart or want different things from this stage of life. In Florida, this isn’t rare. It’s happening more and more.

2. People Are Always Moving In (and Out)

Florida’s population is always shifting. You’ve got snowbirds, new arrivals from out of state, folks chasing new jobs or a change of scenery. All that movement means a lot of people are far from their support systems.

It’s tough to build deep roots when you’re always on the move. Without family or close friends nearby, relationship problems can feel overwhelming—and divorce sometimes feels like the only way out.

3. No-Fault Divorce Makes It Simple

Florida is a pure no-fault state. You don’t need to prove anyone cheated or did something terrible. If the marriage is “irretrievably broken,” that’s enough.

On top of that, courts here are set up to move things along quickly, especially in uncontested cases. Some divorces wrap up in weeks instead of dragging on for months.

4. Money and Education Gaps

Certain parts of Florida—especially rural or low-income areas—see more divorces. Money problems are a huge stress on marriages. When jobs are unstable, housing is expensive, or one person makes much more than the other, fights can build up fast.

Education plays a part, too. People with college degrees are less likely to divorce, and Florida has big differences in education and income from county to county.

How Do National Divorce Trends Show Up Here?

Florida might have its own vibe when it comes to divorce, but we’re still part of the bigger national picture. The same trends playing out across the country are showing up right here at home.

Most Common Reasons for Divorce in Florida

Every marriage unravels in its own way, but if you spend time talking to couples across Florida, you’ll notice the same themes keep cropping up.

1. Lack of Communication

This isn’t just about shouting matches or disagreements. It’s about drifting apart, quietly. Couples talk about growing distant, but it usually starts smaller—missed conversations, unspoken frustration, or just losing sight of what they once wanted together. That silence can build up until there’s a wall between them.

2. Financial Stress

Money problems weigh heavy on many Florida families. Skyrocketing housing costs, uneven paychecks, inflation—stress like this creeps into everyday life. Arguments about spending, debt, or who should work more show up often. Financial pressure doesn’t just strain the budget; it can pull couples apart.

3. Infidelity and Broken Trust

Cheating is still a major reason people split. Sometimes it’s physical, sometimes it’s emotional, but either way, trust gets shattered. In Florida’s bigger cities or tourist spots, the fast pace and constant new faces can make temptation easier to find.

4. Substance Abuse

Addiction—especially to alcohol or opioids—shows up in plenty of divorce stories here. Substance abuse often brings job loss, fights at home, or shaky parenting. It puts a marriage under pressure most couples can’t survive.

5. Domestic Violence or Emotional Abuse

Abuse—physical or emotional—is always serious. Even in a no-fault state like Florida, it changes everything: child custody, restraining orders, how fast the divorce moves. Many people live with abuse in silence for years before reaching out for help.

Second Marriages and Gray Divorce in Florida

Marrying again doesn’t make things easier. In fact, second and third marriages in Florida break up more than first ones do. The state has plenty of retirees and blended families, so these numbers hit close to home.

Second Marriage Statistics

About 60% of second marriages end in divorce across the country. Florida follows those numbers, especially in places with lots of retirees or families blending kids from different relationships.

Gray Divorce: A Growing Reality in Florida

“Gray divorce” means splitting up after age 50, and Florida is right in the middle of this trend.

Why does it happen? People live longer now. Retirement brings surprises—some good, some not. Kids move out, routines change, people look for new meaning after their careers end. All of this can push couples apart.

Ending a long marriage brings unique challenges. You’re not just dividing a checking account—you’re splitting up retirement plans, pensions, maybe a second home or investment property. Medicare, long-term care, estate plans—all those details look different when you’re divorcing later in life. If you’re in this situation, you need a lawyer who understands these twists.

When to Talk to a Divorce Lawyer in Florida

Thinking about separating? Already got the papers in your hand? You don’t have to figure it out by yourself.

Here’s when you should reach out to a Florida divorce attorney:

You and your spouse can’t agree on property, custody, or support.

You own a house, a business, or have shared investments.

There’s a pattern of abuse or controlling behavior.

You’re lost in the court process or buried in paperwork.

You want to protect what matters to you—your rights, your future.

A good divorce lawyer does more than argue in court. They help you see the path ahead and make choices that protect your interests, not just today but down the road.

Divorce in Florida Is Changing—And So Can You

Divorce in Florida doesn’t look like it used to. People wait longer to marry. Some skip marriage altogether. Some leave long-term relationships for the sake of peace, safety, or a fresh start.

Wherever you are—just thinking about divorce, making a plan, or reeling from a spouse’s decision—you’re not alone. The right legal help can make all the difference.

If you want to understand your options and protect your future, talk to a Florida divorce lawyer who knows how to help you move forward.

In Part Two, Florida Experience Magazine will explore steps to selecting a quality attorney, along with personal stories from real-live Floridians who have been there, done that, and happy to share their wisdom. If you have a divorce story to share, contact us at editor@flaexperiencemagazine.com