History of Divorce & How Things Are Changing in 2025
Let’s say you live in ancient Greece or Rome. You’ve had it up to your eyeballs with ‘ol Brutus and want a divorce. It was ok for either the man or the woman to request a divorce, and either could receive financial compensation. To avoid public scrutiny, though, it was just easier to take a lover. I mean, why make a public fuss?
Ancient Romans could divorce for any reason, including boredom. In Old Testament times, men had the right to set aside their wives. (Better than stoning, right?) In early America, men could seek a divorce citing a “good” reason, which was then agreed upon by other men both in and out of the courtroom.
A modern divorce looks very different from the past. There's more gender equality. It's cheaper and often simpler to file. You can even do it all from your smartphone. We know to follow up with our mental health and join the support groups. We're learning more and more about co-parenting. We have apps.
We write about all kinds of divorce-related topics on the Alimonia Life blog. Today, we thought it would be interesting to see how divorce has changed over the centuries.
And in advance, we apologize for mentioning the cats.
Divorce Is Different in 2025
The first divorces recorded were on clay tablets in Mesopotamia. The Code of Hammurabi, ~1754 BCE, was explicit about how to conduct a divorce. Cuneiform divorce contracts have survived since as early as 2300–2000 BCE. They showed property division, dowry return, and even child custody arrangements. Early prenups settled things like whether or not a man could take a concubine if his wife proved infertile.
Divorce trends in 2025 are a little less archaic.
Gray Divorce
A “gray divorce” is a divorce among people 50+. Old norms are fading into yesteryear. Seniors are shedding their marriages for the quiet, single life, in higher numbers than ever.
Nearly 40% of divorces now involve the 50+ age range.
Tech-Savvy Separations
Technology is making splitting up a little less messy, in some ways. Find a support group, use a co-parenting app, or shared calendar. Handle paperwork from your couch with an inexpensive DIY divorce kit.
Mental Health & Support
Divorce is stressful. But in 2025, you don't have to have a referral to find a therapist. There are many essential tools for support. In 2025, seeking help isn’t a luxury—it’s a survival skill. When going through a modern divorce, emotional resilience is just as critical as legal paperwork.
Follow the Alimonia Life blog for case studies that help you navigate divorce. Or join Alimonia Life in Mighty Networks to find a community of others that understand exactly what you’re going through. We’re here to help.
Fault vs No-Fault Divorce
In 2025, all US states permit a no-fault divorce. But this wasn’t always the case. You used to have to prove your spouse broke their vows for the courts to allow you to divorce them.
One woman did this and has found her place in history for her bravery. Meet Mary Kittamaquund Brent.
In May 1679, Mary, of English and Native American descent, won the first legal marital separation in Virginia. The grounds were her husband’s “inhumane usage.”
Yes, we had to look that one up. Though court records are lost, the term likely referred to a pattern of "mistreatments".
Quick backstory: Mary was the daughter of Kittamaquund, chief of the Piscataway. In 1642, she was sent to live with English settlers, baptized, and adopted by Governor Leonard Calvert and his sister Margaret Brent. She later married Giles Brent, a landowner. Things soured, and in 1679 she won her case. The exact records are gone, but her fight stands as an early win for women’s divorce rights.
By the mid-20th century, fault divorce started losing steam, and no-fault divorce came into play.
No-fault options can save time, money, and emotional stress in court.
Cultural Differences on Divorce
In 2025, threads of historical cultural ideas surface in modern divorce proceedings.
For the Zulu in South Africa, divorce traditionally required negotiation between families. This could involve financial restitution, such as returning bridewealth (cattle or other goods). Women seeking divorce risked social ostracism or family retaliation if they challenged male authority. Separation could be a potentially dangerous or humiliating process.
Male-dominated divorce practices in the Middle East had women giving back their dowries to negotiate for a divorce. Today, countries like Tunisia and Morocco are working to pioneer change, securing rights for women in divorce proceedings.
In traditional East Asian societies, like Japan and Korea, divorce was possible but fraught with social peril, especially for women. Families and communities often pressured couples to stay together. Women who divorced faced social shaming, economic hardship, or limited remarriage opportunities.
To date, divorce can still carry some of that discouragement or even animosity, often tied to financial concerns, religious beliefs, or social constructs. This inner-circle backlash may be why modern divorcees are quick to turn to online communities for support.
Shocking Divorce History Stories
Divorce isn’t an easy path, even in a modern society. But we really have come a long way. Take a look at some of these divorce history factoids and personal stories.
Not the Father – A Carolina soldier returned home from Iraq and found his wife had developed a heavy drinking problem. Despite his best efforts to help her, their relationship quickly soured. He sought a divorce and custody of their little girl. Several attorneys refused to represent him, citing the courts' perceived "favor" for women in divorce and custody cases.
The Cambodian “50/50 Split” – In 2008, a Cambodian couple undergoing divorce decided to split their house down the middle. The husband arrived with a chainsaw and a bottle of rice wine, and literally sliced their home in half, carting his portion away.
Who Marries First? – A pair of boys in the 1950s were declared in a Georgia courtroom to go to “whoever got married first”. The judge sent the boys to an orphanage to live until one of their parents decided to remarry.
Sheikha Mahra’s Instagram Divorce – In 2024, Sheikha Mahra of Dubai shocked the world by announcing her divorce in a fiery Instagram post. She cited infidelity and declared thrice: I divorce you. The post has since been deleted.
The Goat Custody Battle – In a unique Australian divorce case, Steve Killeen was awarded his ex-wife's pet goat in the settlement. He took the goat for daily walks through Sydney, turning the animal into a local celebrity.
The “No Remarriage” Rule in Japan – In Japan, women who were pregnant when they divorced could not remarry for 100 days after their divorce. It was originally intended to prevent paternity mix-ups, but men didn’t have to follow this rule. Thankfully, this sexist law was abolished in 2024.
Trigger Warning for the next example: story of animal harm.
The Euthanized Cats – In a bizarre case, a woman, unable to decide who would keep their two cats in a divorce, chose to have them euthanized. She justified her decision by stating she couldn't let them live without her, nor could she let her soon-to-be-ex-husband be happy with them. This extreme act shocked many and highlighted the emotional turmoil that can accompany divorce proceedings.
Divorce Parties – To end our list on a high note, consider a trend bubbling in the U.S. and parts of Europe: the Divorce Party. Parts of the Middle East, China, and Japan have had these Divorce Party traditions, but now they’re hitting Instagram. Celebratory cakes and festivities to mark the marital bed…burnt.
Divorce in 2025
Divorce is more widely accepted in 2025. It’s just a matter of paperwork and legal steps. Some may argue it’s a bit too easy, citing an over 40% divorce rate in the U.S.
Divorce hasn’t changed, though. It’s still the dissolution of marriage.
What’s changed is how we look at divorce, and how we get one.
Many people play ‘armchair lawyer’ and handle their own proceedings. There are apps, support groups, and DIY divorce kits. Today, divorce can be a few clicks away…no chainsaw necessary.
Thanks for reading Alimonia Life Blog. We’re here to lift your spirits, arm you for the journey, and provide a network of support.
Christina M. Ward