New divorce filings surge

More long-term marriages coming to an end in court

Karl Thoennes, the administrator of the Second Judicial Circuit, reviews files at the Minnehaha County Courthouse. (Joe Sneve/The Dakota Scout)

Judge Robin Houwman knows the “what.” She doesn’t know the “why.” 

The presiding judge of the Second Judicial Court this week warned the Minnehaha County Commission that the court’s caseloads are rising so fast that there’s a need for more people behind the bench in Lincoln and Minnehaha Counties. 

And divorce filings are contributing to that trend. In a big way.

Houwman revealed that the Second Circuit saw a 25 percent jump in divorce filings in the last year.

“I can’t explain it,” she told The Dakota Scout after the briefing.

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