THE ECONOMIC-IMPACT OF DIVORCE-LAW REFORM

The role no-fault divorce plays in lowering the economic well-being of women remains controversial. This paper attempts to shed light on thi s issue by surveying the literature and presenting new evidence that a lso considers state laws governing the distribution of marital propert y at divorce. The data suggest that the economic impact of no-fault di vorce is very sensitive to the type of marital property law in each st ate. Under certain marital property laws the adoption of no-fault divo rce may even be welfare improving for married women.