TRENTON, NJ – For thousands of New Jersey couples, the cost of leaving may be higher than the cost of staying. A new study by Henderson & Henderson Attorneys at Law reveals that 21% of married New Jerseyans want to end their marriages but say they simply can’t afford to. The findings come amid persistently high housing costs, property taxes, and inflation that continue to stretch family budgets thin across the Garden State.
The survey of 3,004 people in long-term relationships paints a troubling picture: money, not emotion, is holding marriages together. Nationally, that 21% translates into more than 27.6 million Americans effectively “financially trapped” in their relationships. Rising rents, surging home prices, and legal costs have made the dream of starting over financially out of reach for many.
In New Jersey, where property taxes and housing costs rank among the nation’s highest, even dual-income families struggle to afford two separate households. The report ranks New Jersey 29th nationwide for financially trapped couples, with an estimated 763,392 residents saying they remain married because they can’t afford to separate.
According to the study, the most significant barriers to divorce include housing and rent costs (34%), legal fees (27%), and fear of reduced living standards (15%). Shared debt and health insurance concerns round out the top five, with inflation amplifying each factor’s impact.
Across the country, the problem is most acute in Mississippi, where 47% of married residents feel stuck, followed by West Virginia, Nevada, Arkansas, and Tennessee—all states where rising costs and stagnant wages have collided.
The hidden cost of staying together
For many New Jersey couples, the financial toll of splitting up is so steep that separation gets delayed for years. Among those considering divorce, 56% expect to wait less than a year, but nearly 33% anticipate postponing the decision for three years or longer. Lawyers say it’s a growing pattern: economic stress keeping unhappy couples under one roof.
Beyond the dollars, inflation is adding emotional strain. Sixty-five percent of respondents say inflation makes divorce feel riskier than before, while more than a third admit money arguments are now a frequent part of their household. The emotional exhaustion, experts say, is quietly reshaping what it means to stay married in 2026.
Information gap leaves couples unsure where to turn
Perhaps most striking, nearly 54% of those surveyed said they don’t understand the legal and financial process of divorce in their state. Many couples remain “informationally trapped,” unsure how to begin separating assets, filing paperwork, or managing costs. According to the survey, clearer understanding of legal options ranked as the third most desired factor (18%) that would help people feel confident enough to leave.
Attorney John I. Henderson says the trend exposes a larger structural problem, not just a personal one. “Divorce has always been a difficult decision,” Henderson explains, “but what we’re seeing now is marriages held together by financial necessity, not love. When people feel they can’t afford a fresh start, it’s not just a relationship issue—it’s an economic one.”
Key findings from the report
• 21% of New Jersey married couples say they cannot afford to divorce
• Housing and rent costs (34%) are the leading barrier to separation
• 54% of respondents admit poor understanding of divorce laws and costs
While some couples hope for higher income or lower housing costs before making a move, others say they simply don’t see a financial path forward. The longer they wait, the deeper the financial entanglement grows. As Henderson notes, “Financial pressure has quietly become one of the most powerful forces holding marriages together in America.”
Economic realities keep couples bound together