Divorce Rate
Divorce Rates and Co-Parenting Challenges
Divorce rates in the United States have been falling slowly over the past few decades, but they remain higher than they were in the early 1970s. Recent data shows that about 35-50% of first marriages end in divorce, while second marriages have a higher divorce rate of 60-70+%. Most divorces occur in the first five years of marriage, often due to communication problems, infidelity, and financial issues.
In 2019, the divorce rate in the U.S. was 7.6 per thousand, with about 827,261 divorces registered. Since 2000, there have been a total of 8.3 million divorces. The rates vary significantly by state, with Nevada having the highest and Massachusetts the lowest divorce rates.
Top 10 States with the Highest Divorce Rates
- Nevada — 4.2
- Oklahoma — 3.8
- Wyoming — 3.7
- Alabama — 3.6
- Arkansas — 3.6
- Florida — 3.4
- Idaho — 3.4
- Kentucky — 3.3
- Mississippi — 3.3
- Tennessee — 3.3
Divorce rates also vary by occupation. For example, construction workers, food delivery workers, and salespeople have some of the highest divorce rates. The Army has a higher divorce rate than the general public, at 3.7% in 2018.
Divorce can significantly impact co-parents who need to manage new responsibilities while dealing with shared debt and financial obligations. This is especially challenging if communication between co-parents is difficult.
Managing Shared Finances After Divorce
One of the biggest challenges of co-parenting after divorce is managing shared finances. Co-parents must ensure their children's needs are met while navigating shared expenses like medical bills, extracurricular activities, and possibly housing costs if they maintain a joint residence.
These financial challenges can be particularly acute for parents rebuilding their careers post-divorce. One parent might struggle to make ends meet despite receiving spousal or child support, while the other parent might face their own financial difficulties, such as paying for childcare or juggling multiple jobs.
Despite the availability of tools to assist with these challenges, many co-parents still struggle to manage their finances after a divorce. This can be especially difficult when dealing with complex legal issues related to custody and support.
In some cases, co-parenting mediation is necessary to help parents communicate effectively and resolve financial disagreements.
Introducing Onward: A Solution for Co-Parents
This is where Onward comes in. Onward creates tools for co-parents to track, share, and get reimbursed for shared expenses with their ex or co-parent. By using Onward, co-parents can avoid conflicts and disagreements when dividing costs such as child support, medical bills, and additional activities.
Key Benefits of Onward:
- Centralized Information: Onward collects all relevant information in one place, helping co-parents avoid miscommunication and ensure both parties are on the same page.
- Expense Tracking and Sharing: The app allows co-parents to track expenses, create and share receipts, and communicate about shared expenses in real-time.
- Easy Payment Requests: Co-parents can request to split costs, and the other parent can easily send the money, reducing stress and conflict over joint debt.
- Additional Features: Automatic reminders for upcoming expenses, the ability to export expenses for tax purposes, and the option to invite co-parents to collaborate.
Ultimately, successful co-parenting after a divorce requires being proactive, communicative, and flexible. By working together and using available tools like Onward, co-parents can build a strong partnership that supports their children's best interests and allows them to thrive despite the challenges of divorce.