VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) — Divorces are up in Washington state’s Clark County, and that has local court officials and counselors puzzled.
The Columbian reports that county divorce cases have climbed more than 45 percent since 2006, to over 3,000 last year. That comes as divorce rates nationally are declining, and rates in Washington state have stayed about the same.
The newspaper says experts believe the sharp increase is due to financial stress from the recession, but they can’t explain the discrepancy in county and national rates. However, some say the county’s rapidly growing population may be a factor. Also, Washington’s divorce laws aren’t as stringent as those across the Columbia in Oregon.
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Information from: The Columbian, http://www.columbian.com
