Reno! Known as the nation’s divorce headquarters!
Reno was known as the Divorce Capital of the World for six decades. The city became a divorce mecca in the early 1900s because Nevada had more relaxed laws regarding divorce than most other states. A new interactive online exhibit highlights divorce and Reno’s part in its history. The exhibit illustrates the significant impact of the divorce industry on Reno’s culture and economic development. It also shows how Reno helped change national attitudes about divorce.
Reno had become known as “the nation’s new divorce headquarters” by 1909, thanks to many grounds accessible to divorce-seekers in Reno and its relatively short residency period. This was a significant change from when divorces were much more difficult to obtain.
Since the ruling, Reno has become increasingly popular, largely due to more legal grounds for divorce and a shorter amount of time needed to complete it. As a result, more and more people have found themselves drawn to the city, seeking to start anew.
Residency Requirement:
To help Nevada’s economy recover from the Great Depression, the state legislature reduced the residence requirement for a divorce to an unprecedented six weeks in 1931. This change allowed more people from across the country to come to Nevada and file for a divorce, which helped boost the state’s economy.
Nevada allowed open gambling during the same legislative session that saw many divorces filed at the Washoe County Courthouse. Over 30,000 divorces were granted during the 1930s. This provided even more entertainment alternatives for divorcees in the form of casinos and other gambling venues.
For some, the divorce residency term acted as a countdown to a wedding. The ability to quickly go down the aisle with someone else was a perk of divorcing in Nevada. This especially appealed to those eager to move on from their previous relationship.
Many divorcees brought their future wives to Reno to wait out the required residence term or planned for them to arrive in town after it was over. This way, they could marry them almost immediately after getting divorced.
Although it may seem like something out of a movie, there are numerous stories of divorcees who received a divorce judgment in the morning and married someone else that afternoon. In some cases, both ceremonies were overseen by the same judge.
Grounds for Divorce:
In Nevada, divorces were based on the “blame” concept, meaning that the party with the least amount of fault would be the one to receive the divorce. Due to the former law, a plaintiff partner was compelled to file for divorce against the defendant by citing one of the legally acceptable causes. This is no longer required in Nevada, a no-fault divorce state. With a no-fault divorce, neither party is held responsible for the dissolution of the marriage.
Legal Challenges:
The full faith and credit of the United States Constitution requires that all states respect each other’s public acts, records, and court proceedings. Nonetheless, with their pricey menus and membership restrictions, or simply by catching the imagination of the premium customer, certain places distinguish themselves as more exclusive venues. This means that a Reno divorce must be treated as valid in every other state, even if that state would not have granted the divorce under its laws. However, other states have challenged divorces on various legal grounds, such as fraud or bigamy.
The most common complaints to the court were regarding default divorces, in which the defendant was not represented in court. The legal definitions of citizenship and residency often created problems for those not represented in these cases.
Passing the time:
Although the residency period required for a Reno divorce was shorter than most legal standards, it still amounted to many hours. Whether the residency requirement was six months, three months, or six weeks, it would still take a significant amount of time.
How divorcees chose to spend their time varied greatly. For those with the financial means, the residence period could be compared to a long vacation, providing them with weeks of unrestricted pleasure. Reno offers a variety of employment options for all levels of skill and experience for people who need to fund their stay.
Reno attracted high-profile divorcees, including General Douglas MacArthur, Rita Hayworth, illustrator Norman Rockwell, and mobster Bugsy Siegel. The city’s reputation as a haven for divorces was cemented during this time, and it remains known today.
The rich and famous had their pick of sites to dwell on while acquiring Nevada residence, and divorce ranches were popular among them in the late 1920s. These ranches provided a convenient and discreet place for the wealthy to get a quick divorce. Many of these ranches were located in remote Nevada areas, making them even more appealing to the rich and famous.
As a result, the wealthy generally follow in the footsteps of their less fortunate colleagues. Nonetheless, with their pricey menus and membership restrictions, or simply by catching the imagination of the premium customer, certain places distinguish themselves as more exclusive venues. The Tavern, the Willows, the Dog House, and the short-lived Country Club were among them. The Mapes Hotel and Riverside Hotel were luxurious hotels with casinos, bars, restaurants, and showrooms. The Mapes’ Skyroom, located on the 12th level and featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, quickly became a favorite of the aristocratic divorcee.
Many wealthy visitors were drawn to Reno’s small-town charm and sought out the same entertainments as locals, from horseback riding and attending the rodeo, to betting on races at the local racetrack, to lounging on Lake Tahoe’s beaches.
Final Words
Reno’s quick divorces were instrumental in helping to change divorce laws in America. Reno’s quick divorces made it easier for people to dissolve their marriages by providing a more expedient way to divorce. This, in turn, decreased the stigma associated with divorce and helped make it more socially acceptable. As a result of the changing attitude towards divorce, laws began to reflect this new perspective and become more liberalized.
