Nearly 1 in 4 Married Californians Can't Afford Divorce

A Bakersfield expert explains the real costs and options for couples seeking divorce.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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A new study finds that nearly 24% of married Californians, or 3.4 million people, say they want a divorce but can't afford one. Patti Johnson, owner of Divorce City 911 in Bakersfield, explains that the financial barriers are more complicated than many realize, with the cost of attorneys and court fees often exceeding $20,000 per side for contested divorces that go to trial.

Why it matters

The high cost of divorce is keeping many unhappy couples together, leading to potential mental health and relationship issues. This story highlights the need for more affordable divorce options and better education around the process to help Californians who want to end their marriages but can't due to financial constraints.

The details

Johnson says many couples separate but never complete the legal process because they cannot afford an attorney. Others attempt to file on their own, but mistakes can lead to repeated court rejections. For couples who hire attorneys, retainer fees may start around $8,500, and in contested divorces that go to trial, costs can rise quickly with attorneys billing hundreds of dollars per hour. Johnson notes that when couples can agree on parenting plans and asset division and put the agreement in writing, the process becomes significantly less expensive and less combative.

  • The new study was released on February 23, 2026.

The players

Patti Johnson

The owner of Divorce City 911 in Bakersfield, California, who provides insights on the financial barriers to divorce.

Henderson & Henderson Attorneys at Law

The law firm that conducted the study estimating 3.4 million Californians are staying married due to financial pressure.

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What they’re saying

“If they're using attorneys, it could cost that easily 20 thousand each side, if they're not going to be able to come to an agreement and they have to go through the trial process.”

— Patti Johnson, Owner, Divorce City 911 (turnto23.com)

“It's not their fault; the court lets them think it's easy. They don't tell them that it's hard, they just let them think it's easy, and it's not, and they get in a big mess.”

— Patti Johnson, Owner, Divorce City 911 (turnto23.com)

“They need to be able to work together to do it. Otherwise, these attorneys are going to take them to trial and let the judge determine what's going to happen in their lives.”

— Patti Johnson, Owner, Divorce City 911 (turnto23.com)

What’s next

The study's authors plan to release additional data and analysis on the financial barriers to divorce in the coming months.

The takeaway

This story highlights the need for more affordable and accessible divorce options in California, as the high costs are keeping many unhappy couples trapped in their marriages. Increased education and support around the divorce process could help more Californians navigate this difficult transition.