Reno divorce how long it been

Depending on the state where I resided, I would have to prove grounds for divorce, with no guarantee that a court would grant one. Two-thirds of U. Those states that did grant divorce recognized grounds that were nearly impossible to prove, such as physical evidence of abuse, and some states did not allow remarriage.

No wonder so many women, facing the prospect of a lengthy, arduous process and uncertain outcome, opted instead to go to Reno, Nev. Though the divorce rate has been in decline in the United States for some time, it rose steadily for most of the 20th century, peaking in the s after most states adopted no-fault divorce laws.

The rate in stood at 3. But underneath this overall rise and fall are several interesting shifts. The first divorce boom occurred right after World War II, with rates decreasing in the s before beginning to rise again. The reason for an increase in post-war divorces is widely acknowledged to be rooted in women getting a taste of independence when, their husbands away fighting, they took jobs that were vacated by soldiers.

The decline of the divorce rate in the s owes to the idealization of the nuclear family, with rigid gender roles assigning women responsibility for staying home and raising children. That the majority of Reno divorce-seekers were women reflects the fact that men had jobs that kept them home, though many women found work in Reno, either by choice or necessity. How divorce-seekers chose to fill those hours varied widely. For those with means, the residency period could resemble an extended vacation, a passport to weeks of unbridled leisure.

For those who needed to subsidize their stay, Reno provided a range of employment opportunities for all levels of skill and experience. The rich and famous could have their pick of places to live while establishing Nevada residency, and beginning in the late s, divorce ranches held appeal for many.

Most of these ranches were located outside of town, offering privacy, exclusivity, and a certain amount of pampering that one could not receive in a Reno hotel or boardinghouse. As a result, the well-to-do generally trod the same paths as their less fortunate counterparts. Still, several establishments set themselves apart as more exclusive destinations with their expensive menus and membership requirements, or simply by capturing the imagination of the upscale customer.

Luxury hotels included the Riverside Hotel and Mapes Hotel, both featuring casinos, bars, restaurants, and showrooms. For more a more in depth look at the history of Nevada Divorce, check out the online exhibit here:. Major newspapers and wire services set up bureaus in Reno to stalk the rich and famous as they stopped in on personal business. Before long, Reno in particular became synonymous with divorce.

Rocha went on to a long career as a historian — and sometimes booster — for the state of Nevada, including a stint as state archivist. Facebook Twitter Email. The rise and fall of Reno's quickie divorce industry. Show Caption. Hide Caption. People are stalling their divorce so they don't lose health care. With the uncertainty looming out of Washington about the future of healthcare, many couples are opting to not follow through with their divorce. Picking up the financial pieces after a divorce.