A Major Factor in Gen Z and Millennial Divorce Is “Falsifying the Financial Future”

Sometimes the eventual breakup comes down to a difference in morals or simple lost feelings. And this sometimes happens when dishonest acts, like catfishing, come to light.

But many younger generations are finding themselves confronted with a new type of deception: financial future faking. It’s when people make big promises to each other about sharing a home, a lifestyle, or long-term financial security at the start of a relationship, without any real intention or follow-through. This phenomenon is a consequence of “future simulacrum”, a psychological manipulation tactic recognized by leading healthcare and psychology organizations.

Falsifying the financial future is becoming a major factor in Gen Z and millennial divorces — and perhaps one reason why these younger generations are marrying less often or much later in life.

“I often view lack of financial intimacy, transparency, and alignment as central factors in divorce,” said one famous divorce attorney. Jackie Combs said Fortune. “When money becomes a source of leverage, or when expectations are never clearly articulated, it breaks down communication, creates misalignment and erodes trust. »

Combs, a family and matrimonial lawyer and partner in a Los Angeles-based firm EmptyRomehas represented many Gen Z and millennial celebrities, including Emily Ratajkowski, Chris Appleton and Ines de Ramon. She also represents other high net worth clients and has been recognized as both a top family law attorney as well as a “Entertainment Industry Visionary” speak Los Angeles Times.

The tendency to fake the financial future is particularly discouraging for Gen Z and millennials as they face an inflationary period. labor market at half mastand a housing affordability crisis. So when people in relationships aren’t honest about money and shared goals, the lifestyle they’ve dreamed of could fall apart.

“Generation Z and millennials are particularly vulnerable to future financial falsifications for several reasons,” Combs warned. “They are dating in a time of unprecedented financial instability, defined by student debt, unaffordable housing and falling behind in economic security.”

Beware of the dream wedding

Combs says another reason younger generations are so sensitive to this is that they were raised in households where money was rarely discussed openly, leaving them ill-equipped to ask direct financial questions or understand early on whether they are financially aligned with their partner.

“This vulnerability is compounded by consumer culture and social media, which glorify aspirational lifestyles such as luxury weddings, ‘good life’ aesthetics and traditional bride narratives, without addressing the financial infrastructure needed to support them,” she added.

The illusion of a dream wedding may also be to blame. The wedding services market alone was valued at approximately $218 billion in 2024, according to BRC Global Wedding Services Market Report 2025, and is expected to reach a whopping $362 billion by 2029. This highlights “how fantasy often outpaces financial reality,” Combs said.

To put things into perspective, the average cost of a wedding is staggering. $33,000according to The Knot, about half of the average American salary. And that’s a relatively conservative average, given that weddings in some markets — and for certain demographics and aesthetics — can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Still, it’s comforting and exciting to dream of marriage and a luxurious lifestyle with your partner, even though it can often lead to a trap.

“When someone offers hope through vague financial promises about the future, it can seem reassuring rather than misleading, which makes financial future simulation particularly effective,” Combs said.

How to spot financial future falsifications and when to talk about money

Some of the common signs of financial future falsification include grandiose but unspecific financial promises, a lack of transparency about income, debts or expenses, and repeated delays in financial accountability or in a tangible process toward a financial goal, Combs said.

“Future promises look like a commitment, but are never structured in reality or a future partnership,” which is what a financial future simulation looks like, she added.

But it’s difficult, and can sometimes feel confrontational, to ask a partner about finances, especially in a new relationship.

“Sincerity is reflected in the alignment between words and behavior,” Combs said. “Vague optimism without structure or willingness to learn is a red flag. »

Combs said it’s important to have financial discussions early on before making any significant emotional or financial commitments. This involves having discussions about money before moving in together, signing a lease, or sharing expenses.

Still, “this doesn’t mean sharing your $401,000 balance on the first date,” she explained. “This means asking thoughtful, values-based questions, like “if you won the [lottery] today, what would you do with the winnings? “What does financial security mean to you? or “What is your biggest financial fear?” »

To get the most out of your conversation, Combs recommends “leading with curiosity and without judgment,” as this can help show emotional vulnerability and build confidence. And it’s also essential to have these conversations before any discussions about marriage or long-term commitment, because the former can often mean giving up financial independence.

Basically, if someone in a relationship doesn’t fully understand the financial or legal implications of marriage, they are “giving up control of their financial future,” Combs said.

“These conversations are not intended to impose commitment,” she stressed. “It’s about assessing risk and determining long-term compatibility.”