Kansas consistently has one of the lowest divorce rates in the United States. Its crude divorce rate is about 1.7 to 1.9 divorces per 1,000 residents, well below the national average. This consistently ranks the state among the most stable for marriages. Kansas is often listed in the bottom ten states for divorce rates. Because apparently in Kansas, happily ever after is just part of the scenery.
In Kansas, the median duration of all marriages, including intact and ended, is about 19.6 years, slightly below the national median of 20–21 years. This reflects a moderately long average marriage length for the state. Because apparently in Kansas, love lasts long enough to see almost two decades of wheat harvests.
| Age Metric / Group | Kansas Specific Data/Trend | Key Insight |
|---|---|---|
| Most Common Age Group (Wives) | Ages 30–34 | This age range represents the highest volume of wives involved in marriage dissolutions in Kansas. |
| Most Common Age Group (Husbands) | Ages 35–39 | This age range represents the highest volume of husbands involved in marriage dissolutions in Kansas. |
| Median Age at Divorce | 38.7 for Wives / 40.8 for Husbands | The typical age at which a marriage ends has risen since 2000, reflecting the trend of later marriages and “gray divorce”. |
| Most Common Age for Couples | Ages 25–29 | For couples of the same age group, the 25–29 range was the most common for marriage dissolution, indicating high early-marriage risk. |
| Ages Under 25 at Marriage | Highest Risk Factor | As with national data, couples who marry before age 25 have the highest statistical risk of divorce, a factor mitigated by Kansas’s lower overall rate. |
| Ages 50 and Older | “Gray Divorce” Trend | The divorce rate for older couples has increased nationally. Experts expect a slight rise in this group in Kansas, though the overall risk remains lower than for younger groups. |
Divorce Rate in Kansas in 2025
- Low Crude Divorce Rate. Kansas maintains a relatively low crude divorce rate, around 1.7 per 1,000 residents, below the national average of 2.4.
- High Marriage Rate. Despite high marriage rates, Kansas keeps its divorce numbers low. Apparently, happily-ever-after is just standard procedure here.
- Hybrid Grounds State (No-Fault Dominant)
Kansas is a mixed divorce state but functions mostly under no-fault grounds, with incompatibility being the most common. Fault grounds include:- Failure to perform a material marital duty (adultery, cruelty, abandonment)
- Incompatibility due to mental illness or incapacity
- Mandatory 60-Day Waiting Period. After filing, there is a minimum 60-day waiting period before a final decree, allowing time for reconciliation or settlement. Because nothing says “love conquers all” like a mandatory cooling-off period.
- Minimal Residency Requirement. Only 60 days residency is required to file for divorce, one of the shortest in the U.S.
- Fault Can Affect Money. Proving marital misconduct may impact property division and spousal support, even though fault rarely drives the divorce itself. So yes, being naughty can actually cost you – who knew?
- Equitable Distribution of Property. Kansas follows equitable distribution, dividing property fairly rather than equally, considering factors like age, marriage duration, and earning capacity.
- Common Law Marriage is Recognized. Kansas recognizes common law marriages, treating them legally the same as formal marriages when it comes to divorce.
Divorce Rate in Kansas in 2024
- Low Crude Divorce Rate. Kansas has a low crude divorce rate, around 1.7–1.9 per 1,000 residents, well below the national average of approximately 2.5.
- Pure No-Fault State. Divorce in Kansas only requires incompatibility—no need to prove adultery or cruelty. Because clearly, breaking up should be as easy as splitting a pizza.
- Mandatory 60-Day Waiting Period. A minimum 60-day waiting period applies after filing before a divorce can be finalized, allowing time for reflection or settlement.
- Unique Property Division Standard. Kansas follows equitable distribution, but the court can divide all property and debt, even pre-marital assets or inheritances. Nothing says “fair” like handing over your grandma’s heirloom because the judge feels like it.
- Low Residency Requirement. Either spouse must be a Kansas resident for only 60 days prior to filing, one of the shortest in the U.S.
- Fault Can Affect Property (Indirectly). While generally no-fault, misconduct or asset squandering can influence property division, potentially favoring the “innocent” spouse. Apparently, being bad can pay off… at least financially.
Divorce Rate in Kansas in 2023
- Low Crude Divorce Rate. Kansas had a low crude divorce rate in 2023, approximately 1.7 per 1,000 residents, well below the national average of 2.4.
- Ranking Among Lowest States. The state frequently ranks among the bottom ten in divorce rates nationwide. Because apparently, happily-ever-after is Kansas standard.
- Mandatory 60-Day Waiting Period. A minimum 60-day waiting period applies from filing before a divorce can be finalized.
- Emergency Waiver. This waiting period can be waived only for proven emergencies, such as domestic abuse or severe financial hardship. So yes, patience is mandatory… unless life is on fire.
- Pure No-Fault Ground (“Incompatibility”). Divorce only requires incompatibility; no fault or misconduct needs to be proven.
- Fault Still Legally Exists (Rarely Used). Kansas recognizes failure to perform a material marital duty as a fault ground, but it’s seldom used. Technically, you could blame your spouse… but good luck making it matter.
- Residency Requirement. Either spouse must have been a Kansas resident for at least 60 days before filing.
- Court-Ordered Counseling. Judges may order up to 90 days of counseling if reconciliation seems possible, though this is uncommon.