As Republicans move to restrict divorce, advocates fear for abuse victims

State Republican lawmakers and party platforms in Texas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina and South Dakota are pushing to limit or end no-fault divorce, decades after most states made it easier to leave a marriage. Iowa and Oklahoma bills sought to let couples opt out of no-fault divorce or abolish it outright, though Iowa's died in committee.

The push follows the death of Cerina Fairfax, a Virginia dentist killed by her estranged husband, former Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, who then killed himself, after she spent nearly two years navigating Virginia's mandatory waiting period while living in the same house as him. Virginia had loosened its divorce requirements just days before her death.

Meanwhile, divorce rates have declined nationally for over 40 years, and four of the five states with the highest divorce rates are Republican-led. Researchers note state law changes have historically had little effect on divorce rates in either direction.

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