Gen Z Embraces Prenups as Divorce Loses Its Stigma, Says Attorney Jackie Combs

Key facts

• 84% of Gen Z daters seek new ways to build deeper connections, per a Hinge survey of over 30,000 users.
• 78% of Gen Zers consider financial responsibility an important trait in a partner, according to a 2025 Bank of America survey.
• Family law attorney Jackie Combs of Blank Rome says Gen Z grew up with greater access to information than previous generations.
• Combs states that social media has destigmatized the shame associated with divorce.
• Gen Z is increasingly embracing prenuptial agreements.
• The taboo of divorce is 'long gone' among young adults, Combs says.

A Generation Redefining Marriage

Gen Z is approaching marriage with a pragmatism that sets them apart from their predecessors, says matrimonial and family law attorney Jackie Combs of Blank Rome. A recent Hinge survey of more than 30,000 daters found that 84% of Gen Z are looking for new ways to build deeper connections. Yet this quest for intimacy coexists with a clear-eyed view of the financial stakes of partnership.

The Digital Native's Advantage

Combs attributes this shift to Gen Z's upbringing in the digital world. 'They have greater access to information,' she says, 'even more than what my generation or prior generations had.' This access extends to financial literacy and the realities of divorce, topics that were once shrouded in privacy or shame.

Social Media's Destigmatizing Effect

Social media has played a pivotal role in normalizing divorce, Combs argues. 'How many times do you see a public statement from a celebrity or a Bravo star about what's going on in their personal life, including a divorce?' she asks. 'I think what that has done is destigmatize a lot of the shame that comes with divorce.' This openness has made prenuptial agreements a common topic of conversation rather than a taboo.

Financial Responsibility as a Priority

The data backs up Combs' observations. A 2025 Bank of America survey revealed that 78% of Gen Zers view financial responsibility as an important trait when choosing a significant other. This emphasis on fiscal prudence is driving the trend toward prenuptial agreements, which are increasingly seen as a sensible planning tool rather than a sign of distrust.

The Prenup as a Tool for Transparency

prenups are no longer reserved for the wealthy or the cynical. For Gen Z, they represent a way to align expectations and protect assets acquired before marriage. 'The taboo of divorces is long gone,' she says, adding that young couples are more willing to have frank discussions about finances early in their relationships.

Implications for the Future of Marriage

This generational shift could have lasting effects on how marriage is perceived and practiced. By destigmatizing divorce and embracing prenups, Gen Z is forging a model of marriage that is both romantic and realistic. Combs suggests that this approach may lead to stronger, more resilient unions built on a foundation of transparency and mutual understanding.

The bottom line

• Gen Z's embrace of prenuptial agreements reflects a broader destigmatization of divorce, driven by social media and greater access to information.
• 84% of Gen Z daters prioritize deeper connections, yet 78% also value financial responsibility in a partner, per surveys.
• Attorney Jackie Combs of Blank Rome highlights that digital natives are more informed about finances and relationship risks.
• Prenups are increasingly seen as a tool for transparency and planning, not a sign of distrust.
• The shift may lead to marriages built on clearer expectations and reduced shame around potential divorce.