The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-12-18
MONEY TO MARRY
1t Costs Kansas Lovers $685..
900 q Year.
And They Spend S135,OO0 for
Divorces.

Kansas lovers spend $153,000 a year
for performance of the marriage vow,
while domestic upheavals in Kansas
homes cost $135,000 a year in court
costs. That Is the figure which has
been given from the vital statistics de-
partment of the board of health by
w. ]. v. Deacon, registrar.
The new records on marriage in Kan
sas are as yet insufficient to give a
clear idea of the number of marriages
and divorces and their approximate
cost. In fact some amendments to the
present law will be necessary to per-
init the vital statistics to collect such
facts as it really desires But the Dea-
con figures show that the first cost of
matrimony and the first cost of divorce
are so nearly equal that there is a close
guess as to which is the most ex-
pensive.
There are about $4,000 marriages in
Kansas each year, according to the
most accurate figures which Deacon
has been able to gather. The average
cost for marriage license In Kansas
Is $3.50. The average cost for a minis
ter's service to perform the nuptia1
ceremony is IS. That makes a first
and necessary cost Of $3.50, with no
eymoons. cut flowers and wedding din
ners. For you can dispense with all
Of these things if you want to-and
still be just as safely and securely and
legally married as the couple which
buys matrimonial coupon and decor
ates it with a cut glass party and
something to drink.
Figuring an average Of $4,000 mar
riages year in Kansas-Deacon thinks
that figure il conservative in view OF
the present records-and the necessary
cash outlay for matrimony at $3.50 for
an insign.ffcant price, Deacon thinks,
II the $1,000 people who were made
happy would never change their minds
about it.
But the Kansas records show that
something like 20 per cent. of the mar
riages in Kansas are finally called to
the attention OF the divorce court for
final action. And the high cost of hv-
ing has hit the divorce business in
Kansas. The last legislature enacted
the divorce proctor law and that law
means SO to the divorce proctor every
time he diagnoses a case OF domestic
infelicity. So this fact has perhaps
discouraged a few divorces in Kansas
and to play real safe, the percentage is
made in the ratio Of six marriages to
one divorce.
That means 5000 divorces in Kansas
each year-there are about 500 in Shaw
nee county each year. So, looking over
the cost of marriage and divorce the
vital statistics registrar set down as
his first COST 5000 trips to the divorce
proctor at so a trip, total $4,000. TAX
ing a general average on divorces, the
average attorneys fee is something
like $25. Add $4,000 for legal advice
Court costs in a divorce suit average
about SO. Add $50, 900. That is a grand
total of $135. 900 for divorce bills, with
no provision for alimony. permanent
maintenance and other little trimmings.
Under the present marriage registra-
tion law, there is no provision for gath
ering facts and figures as to divorces
But Deacon thinks such a provision
should be incorporated in the law The
next session of the legislature, perhaps,
will remedy this fault