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The State of the Marriage, Family and

Divorce in Florida

Florida has the highest number of reported divorces than any other state in the country:

86,000 annually

Compared to other states:

State: Divorces:

Florida 86,000

New York 56,000

Texas 79,000

Even though these other states have greater populations, Florida

still has a greater number divorces

State Divorces Population

Florida 86,000 18.3 million

New York 56,000 19.5 million

Texas 79,000 24.3 million

Family Breakdown = High Cost

• Social Costs • Taxpayer Costs • Business Costs

April 2008:

First Study

Ever Done on Taxpayer Costs

to Family Fragmentation

Florida has the 6th largest taxpayer costs

in the nation as a

result of family fragmentation:

• Forgone Tax Revenue $ 313 Million

• Justice System $ 814 Million

• TANF (Temporary Asst for Needy Families) $ 57 Million

• Medicaid $ 42 Million

• SCHIP (State Children’s Health Ins Program) $ 43 Million

• Child Welfare $181 Million

TOTAL $1.9 Billion

Annual Taxpayer Costs to Family Breakdown in Florida

Stable marriages = Direct Savings to the State and Taxpayers

Dr. Ben Scafidi who did the primary research for the Institute for American Values study on Taxpayer Costs of Divorce and Unwed Childbearing states:“According to new research on the taxpayer costs of divorce and unwed childbearing, even modest success rates in strengthening marriages would be cost effective. 

According to Dr. Ben Scafidi:

“In Florida, if such a program succeeded in increasing stably married families by just 1 percent, it would save Florida taxpayers $19,530,000 per year.  A 3% increase would save Florida taxpayers $58,590,000 every year.”  To get a 5% increase in stable married families (saving Florida taxpayers $97,650,000…”

How can we as state even attempt to solve a

problem as big and as pervasive as family

breakdown?

Campaign Goals:Goals:• Increase the number of couples receiving pre-

marital preparation• Strengthen existing marriages and restore crisis

marriages • Reduce the divorce rate in Florida by 10%• Save taxpayers the costs of family fragmentation

by approximately $100 million dollars annually. • Creating community awareness and a positive

culture of marriage which celebrates and respects the institution of marriage for the benefit of children, families and the common good of society.

Solution:

Private Sector Initiatives &

Public Policy Changes