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The Milwaukee Leader
Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
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Nevada's 1931 six-week divorce law caused a surge in Reno filings to 5,200 in the first year, doubling from 1930, while marriages held steady at 5,100 licenses. County divorce revenue exceeded $125,000, total spending estimated at $5M.
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RECORDED IN
RENO DIVORCES
BY GEORGE D. CRISSEY.
Staff Correspondent
The United Press
RENO, Nev.—Nevada's act in liberalizing residential requirements for divorce seekers resulted in a tremendous increase in filings, it was disclosed today by a review of records for the first year the "six weeks' divorce" law was effective.
The so-called "easy divorce" law went on the statute books May 1, 1931, and in the 12 months since, approximately 5,200 suits have been filed.
Marriage Is "Sideline."
In 1930, with three months as the minimum time of residence, Washoe county, of which Reno is the principal population center, granted 2,118 divorces—less than half the number filed under the six weeks' residential requirement for the year starting May 1, 1931.
Marriage, always a profitable Reno sideline, held its own from May, 1931, to May, 1932, but dropped far behind in percentage of increase as compared to divorces.
In 1930 Washoe county issued 4,480 marriage licenses, more than double the number of divorces granted in a similar period.
In the 12 months since the "six weeks" law became effective, 5,100 marriage licenses were issued—slightly less than the number of divorce suits filed.
Revenue Is Great.
In county fees alone, the revenue from divorces was in excess of $125,000.
The marriage license fee of $2 is small change in comparison and yet it netted the county $10,200 during the 12-month period.
Estimates as to the expenditure of all divorce seekers and honeymooners is difficult because one spends $100 per day and another works for board and room.
Generally, the expenditures of divorce seekers are estimated at $5,000,000 per year, and some observers believe that is conservative.
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Location
Reno, Nev., Washoe County
Event Date
May 1, 1931 To May 1932
Story Details
Nevada's six-week divorce law effective May 1, 1931, led to approximately 5,200 divorce suits filed in Washoe County in the first year, more than double the 2,118 granted in 1930 under three-month residency. Marriage licenses issued were 5,100, similar to 4,480 in 1930. Divorce fees generated over $125,000, marriages $10,200, with total expenditures estimated at $5,000,000 annually.