Jackie Combs has been working as a family law and divorce attorney for eight years.
The 37-year-old represents “high-net-worth and celebrity clients” such as model Emily Ratajkowski and hairstylist Chris Appleton. And her customer base is skewing younger: “The majority of my customers right now are Gen Z and Millennials,” she says.
The oldest Millennials and the oldest Gen Z will be 44 and 28 years old, respectively, in 2025.
Combs sees a lack of communication as the number one reason people divorce. “If you can’t communicate, you can’t get through the relationship,” she says.
Her new customers may be young, but Gen Zers are surprisingly adept at communicating about one important thing: money.
Having this conversation establishes “a stronger foundation for any relationship.”
“Gen Z is much more transparent about their finances because they value connection,” Combs said, adding, “They prioritize transparency.”
According to an April 2025 study by Bank of America, a majority of Gen Zers, 78%, prioritize financial responsibility when finding a partner, 70% prioritize financial behavior, and 70% prioritize financial attitudes.
“They talked about money early in their relationship,” Combs said. “In some cases, by the third date.”
That’s a stance Combs supports. Another main reason people divorce is “financial incompatibility,” she says.
Because Gen Z values connection, they are much more transparent about their finances.
Jackie Combs
family lawyer
If couples don’t discuss their finances early on, Combs says, it could mean “spending habits aren’t in sync” or “budgets and savings plans aren’t in sync.”
These are important elements of communal living, and disagreements and lack of openness can cause a lot of stress and tension in relationships.
Divorce and family law attorney Padideh Jafari recommends asking questions like, “What’s your credit score? Have you ever filed for bankruptcy? Do you have credit card debt?” Even before you got married, she previously told CNBC Make It.
Ultimately, being open about finances “lays a stronger foundation in any relationship,” Combs says.
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