Unhappy couples staying together because of money worries

When you’re married, you’re used to getting by on two incomes, so the idea of going it alone can feel truly terrifying. So even if you’re in an unhappy marriage and thinking of leaving, staying put can feel like the safest choice, especially when everything seems to be getting more expensive.

But a bad relationship can have a knock-on effect on your finances.

If your marriage has got to the point where you’re considering separation, communication about priorities like money can break down.

And that can, in turn, lead to missed payments and growing balances, as well as more pressure on your mental health.

So it’s a real worry that financial considerations are keeping couples together when they really want to part ways.

Cost of living forcing couples to put off divorcing

According to the Office of National Statistics (ONS), the average marriage ending in divorce in 2025 lasted for 13 years - the longest on record.

Meanwhile, there were 105,002 divorces in England and Wales in 2025.

That compares to around 150,000 a year in the 1980s-2000s.

And some legal experts believe the cost-of-living crisis is fuelling this trend.

“We are increasingly seeing couples who have separated but continue to live under the same roof so they can retain the benefit of shared assets and continue to split household expenses,” said Rebecca Aston Jones, a senior associate at Clarke Willmott.

“This arrangement can often exacerbate tensions and create a more volatile home environment.”

Speaking to the Guardian, Ms Aston-Jones said it’s “unsurprising that many people find the prospect of separation financially daunting”.

But she warned that staying in “unhappy or hostile living environments” can be “detrimental to everyone involved”.

Financial abuse a growing problem

Ms Aston-Jones added that there’s “a growing prevalence of financial abuse within relationships”.

This, she says, can prevent individuals “from taking the step to end their marriage because they are concerned about their ability to manage financially on their own.” 

Financial abuse is a form of coercive control and occurs when an abuser takes control over a person’s:

• income
• spending
• bank accounts
• bills
• borrowing

It can also involve restricting access to essential resources, such as:

• technology
• food
• housing
• transport
• clothing

So if you suspect financial abuse, it’s important to take action, especially as it often occurs alongside other forms of abuse.

If you are in immediate danger, call 999.

If you are concerned about your safety, you can contact the following 24-hour domestic abuse helplines:

• National Domestic Abuse Helpline (England): 0808 2000 247
• Live Fear Free Helpline (Wales): 0808 80 10 800
• Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline (Scotland): 0800 027 1234
• Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline (Northern Ireland): 0808 802 1414

If you need advice about financial abuse, Surviving Economic Abuse offers specialist support.

You can also contact the Financial Support Line on 0808 196 8845 for confidential advice.

Read more about spotting the signs of financial abuse.

We’ve also put together some information on how to rebuild financial wellness post-divorce.