First, we looked at Divorce Writer’s chart of the minimum amount of time it takes to finalize a divorce in every state. Then, we factored in the average filing fees in each state, as compiled by FindLaw. Next, we consulted Business Insider to determine the average divorce attorneys’ fees in each state. Finally, we used World Population Review’s research to determine each state’s divorce rate, based on the number of women who were divorced in 2021 per 1,000. We then gave each metric a weighted value before running them through our exclusive algorithm to see how each state scored on our 100-point scale Divorce Disaster Index. Our results showed that wealthier states, on average, seem to be worse for divorces, as filing fees and attorney’s fees can both be higher. The worst state to get divorced is the worst by a wide margin, having the most expensive filing fees and attorneys’ fees, as well as the longest time it takes to finalize a divorce. Read on to discover the worst state to get divorced in America. And for more on a relationship problem that may lead to a split, These Are the Least Sexually Satisfied People in America, Survey Says. Minimum time to finalize a divorce:30 days Filing fee: $137 Average legal fees: $6,600 Divorce rate: 13.3 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 0.00 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 30-90 days Filing fee: $80 Average legal fees: $8,200 Divorce rate: 9.5 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 0.25 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 20-30 days Filing fee: $170 Average legal fees: $6,600 Divorce rate: 12.4 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 0.27 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 20-30 daysae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb Filing fee: $85, though cost varies by district Average legal fees: $9,000 Divorce rate: 12.5 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 4.42 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 30 days Filing fee: $90 Average legal fees: $8,900 Divorce rate: 12.6 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 5.86 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 20-30 days Filing fee: $134 Average legal fees: $8,200 Divorce rate: 13.3 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 7.42 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 60-90 days Filing fee: $95 Average legal fees: $8,600 Divorce rate: 10.6 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 10.45 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 30 days Filing fee: $75 for absolute divorce, $150 for civil cases in district court Average legal fees: $10,300 Divorce rate: 10.8 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 11.09 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 30 days Filing fee: $215 Average legal fees: $9,200 Divorce rate: 9.2 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 13.06 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 15-45 days Filing fee: $86, though cost varies by county Average legal fees: $11,500 Divorce rate: 10.1 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 13.73 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 30-60 days Filing fee: $154 Average legal fees: $8,800 Divorce rate: 12.2 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 15.02 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 90 days Filing fee: $158 Average legal fees: $8,200 Divorce rate: 10.3 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 18.07 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 14 days Filing fee: $183 Average legal fees: $9,800 Divorce rate: 13.2 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 18.97 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 60-90 days Filing fee: $153 Average legal fees: $8,100 Divorce rate: 13.1 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 20.35 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 30-45 days Filing fee: $133.50, though cost varies by district Average legal fees: $10,600 Divorce rate: 12.2 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 21.00 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 60-90 days Filing fee: $120 Average legal fees: $8,800 Divorce rate: 13.9 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 22.56 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 30-60 days Filing fee: $165 Average legal fees: $11,000 Divorce rate: 10.0 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 23.07 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 60-90 days Filing fee: $157 Average legal fees: $9,000 Divorce rate: 12.4 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 24.08 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 30-60 days Filing fee: $165 Average legal fees: $8,800 Divorce rate: 13.1 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 24.41 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 30-120 days Filing fee: $150 Average legal fees: $10,000 Divorce rate: 10.7 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 24.67 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 60 days Filing fee: $175 Average legal fees: $10,200 Divorce rate: 11.5 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 27.00 And for the place with other high costs to consider, This State Has the Highest Taxes in America, According to Data. Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 60 days Filing fee: $184.50 Average legal fees: $9,900 Divorce rate: 12.3 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 28.38 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 30 days Filing fee: $325 Average legal fees: $10,400 Divorce rate: 9.0 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 31.55 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 14-28 days Filing fee: $217 Average legal fees: $10,800 Divorce rate: 13.9 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 31.75 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 90-120 days Filing fee: $185 Average legal fees: $9,300 Divorce rate: 10.8 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 32.03 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 30-60 days Filing fee: $250 Average legal fees: $10,300 Divorce rate: 11.6 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 32.63 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 30-45 days Filing fee: $365 Average legal fees: $9,000 Divorce rate: 10.2 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 32.96 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 120 days Filing fee: $184.50 Average legal fees: $8,900 Divorce rate: 10.7 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 33.05 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 30-60 days Filing fee: $165 Average legal fees: $12,800 Divorce rate: 11.1 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 35.86 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 20-180 days Filing fee: $200 Average legal fees: $10,000 Divorce rate: 11.7 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 38.67 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 30-60 days Filing fee: $334 Average legal fees: $10,900 Divorce rate: 9.7 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 40.65 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 45-60 days Filing fee: $301 Average legal fees: $10,000 Divorce rate: 12.8 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 41.41 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 90-120 days Filing fee: $201.75 Average legal fees: $11,300 Divorce rate: 9.7 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 42.34 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 60-80 days Filing fee: $280 Average legal fees: $10,300 Divorce rate: 12.3 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 43.65 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 60 days Filing fee: $300 Average legal fees: $12,300 Divorce rate: 8.5 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 45.25 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 60-90 days Filing fee: $400 Average legal fees: $8,600 Divorce rate: 11.2 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 46.02 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 30-90 days Filing fee: $350, though cost varies by district Average legal fees: $9,900 Divorce rate: 12.0 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 46.12 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 60-90 days Filing fee: $400 Average legal fees: $8,700 Divorce rate: 11.6 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 47.57 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 30-60 days Filing fee: $400 Average legal fees: $9,900 Divorce rate: 12.3 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 48.89 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 60 days Filing fee: $400 Average legal fees: $9,700 Divorce rate: 11.9 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 50.34 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 30-45 days Filing fee: $335 Average legal fees: $13,500 Divorce rate: 8.8 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 51.27 And for one factor that predicts your likelihood of getting divorced, check out The More Money You Spend on This, the More Likely You Are to Divorce. Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 90-120 days Filing fee: $230 Average legal fees: $11,400 Divorce rate: 11.9 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 51.52 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 90 days Filing fee: $314 Average legal fees: $10,600 Divorce rate: 11.7 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 52.38 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 61-90 days Filing fee: $300 Average legal fees: $12,400 Divorce rate: 10.6 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 54.70 And for more exclusive rankings sent to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter. Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 30-60 days Filing fee: $400 Average legal fees: $11,600 Divorce rate: 11.3 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 55.90 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 30-60 days Filing fee: $409, though cost varies by county Average legal fees: $10,700 Divorce rate: 13.0 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 56.10 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 180 days Filing fee: $200 Average legal fees: $12,600 Divorce rate: 10.7 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 66.71 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 90-120 days Filing fee: $360 Average legal fees: $12,200 Divorce rate: 10.7 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 67.53 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 150 days Filing fee: $400 Average legal fees: $10,400 Divorce rate: 11.1 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 73.62 Minimum time to finalize a divorce: 183.5 days (6 months plus 1 day) Filing fee: $435 Average legal fees: $13,800 Divorce rate: 9.3 percent Divorce Disaster Index Score: 100.00 And for the state where a certain kind of risqué relationship reigns, check out The Kinkiest State in America, According to Data.
