Just can’t wait to get a divorce? Well, Idaho is one of the states where the residency requirement is short. Back in 1937, the Legislature reduced the residency requirement for obtaining a divorce in Idaho from 90 days to six weeks. Governor Chase Clark quickly signed it.
It was a blatant attempt to cash in on the quicky divorce trade Nevada was famous for. The legislation matched Nevada’s residency requirement. Representative Dan Cavanagh from Twin Falls said about his bill, “We have a chance to assist our hotels and our resorts. We should make an effort to develop these resources.”
It wasn’t so much that lawmakers thought people would flock to Burley or Weippe to establish residency for a speedy divorce. They had Sun Valley in mind. Such divorces were typically sought by the wealthy who could afford to “reside” in a state for a few weeks to take care of that messy domestic problem.
Some rich ex-lovers probably did come to Idaho, but Nevada kept the reputation for hasty divorces and weddings that could take place even faster.
Nowadays, Idaho requires a nine-week residency, or 62 days. That’s the fourth shortest time in the nation. South Dakota requires just 60 days. Nevada is still at six weeks, or 42 days. Alaska, with no residency requirement at all, tops the list.
It was a blatant attempt to cash in on the quicky divorce trade Nevada was famous for. The legislation matched Nevada’s residency requirement. Representative Dan Cavanagh from Twin Falls said about his bill, “We have a chance to assist our hotels and our resorts. We should make an effort to develop these resources.”
It wasn’t so much that lawmakers thought people would flock to Burley or Weippe to establish residency for a speedy divorce. They had Sun Valley in mind. Such divorces were typically sought by the wealthy who could afford to “reside” in a state for a few weeks to take care of that messy domestic problem.
Some rich ex-lovers probably did come to Idaho, but Nevada kept the reputation for hasty divorces and weddings that could take place even faster.
Nowadays, Idaho requires a nine-week residency, or 62 days. That’s the fourth shortest time in the nation. South Dakota requires just 60 days. Nevada is still at six weeks, or 42 days. Alaska, with no residency requirement at all, tops the list.
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