The Real Price of Divorce
When couples hit a breaking point, divorce can feel like the only option. But many people underestimate the financial, emotional, and relational toll divorce brings. According to the American Psychological Association and recent financial surveys, the average cost of divorce in the U.S. ranges from $15,000–$30,000 per spouse, depending on whether children, assets, or lawyers are involved. Couples often don’t realize the average cost of divorce is far higher than investing in a marriage intensive retreat.
Add to this:
- Court fees & legal retainers (often $300–$500/hour)
- Dividing property and retirement accounts
- Child custody and support arrangements
- Ongoing alimony or spousal support
- The cost of maintaining two separate households
Beyond the money, divorce often means lost stability for children, fractured family systems, and long-term emotional stress.
What Is a Marriage Intensive?
A marriage intensive is a private, therapist-led retreat where couples dedicate 2–5 full days to working on their relationship. Instead of the slow pace of weekly counseling, intensives compress months of progress into a focused, distraction-free setting.
At The Marriage Restoration Project, our private 2-day marriage intensives combine Imago Relationship Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and over 20 years of clinical experience. Couples gain the clarity, safety, and tools they need to break destructive cycles, rebuild trust, and reconnect.
Comparing Costs: Divorce vs. Intensive
| Expense | Average Cost | Emotional/Relational Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce (lawyers, fees, custody) | $15,000–$30,000+ per spouse | Long-term stress, disruption for children, co-parenting challenges |
| Marriage Intensive (2-day private retreat) | $6,000–$7,000 | Tools for repair, potential lifelong stability, preserved family unit |
| DIY Course (self-paced 5-Step program) | $479 | Affordable option for early intervention, proactive relationship skills |
While a marriage intensive is an investment, it’s often a fraction of the cost of divorce — financially and emotionally.
Why Investing in Repair Pays Off
Many couples ask, is a marriage intensive worth it? The answer becomes clear when you weigh the financial and emotional impact.
- Faster breakthroughs: A 2-day intensive equals 8–9 months of weekly sessions.
- Protecting your family: Children benefit from stability and cooperative parents.
- Long-term savings: Avoiding divorce protects shared assets, retirement funds, and years of legal costs.
- Emotional health: Healing a marriage can restore trust and prevent the trauma of separation.
Clarity That Strengthens Your Next Chapter
Every couple comes to an intensive with different hopes and levels of readiness. While many leave feeling renewed and recommitted, others walk away with the gift of clarity about what their next chapter should look like. That clarity alone can be healing — whether it means a stronger partnership built on new tools, or a respectful understanding of how to move forward with dignity.
A last chance marriage retreat gives couples a structured, supportive space to make thoughtful decisions instead of reactive ones. Whatever the outcome, both partners gain communication skills, emotional insight, and a renewed sense of confidence about the future.
Key Takeaways
- Divorce costs on average 3–5 times more than a private marriage intensive.
- Intensives offer tools for repair and hope for stability, while divorce often fractures families and finances.
- Even if reconciliation isn’t possible, an intensive provides clarity and respectful closure at far less cost.
- Investing in repair first protects both your wallet and your emotional health and will give you the tools for preventing the divorce from even nastier interactions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Many couples see it as the best investment they ever made — not only in their marriage but in protecting their children and family stability.
Even then, couples who attend intensives often separate with less hostility and more clarity, saving thousands in legal battles.
Unlike group retreats, private intensives are offered on demand. Most couples can schedule within weeks.
That’s okay. A “last chance” retreat with discernment counseling is designed for mixed-agenda couples who aren’t on the same page.
Sources
- American Psychological Association. (Divorce statistics & impact on families).
- National Center for State Courts. (Average divorce costs in the U.S.).
- Hendrix, H. (2007). Getting the Love You Want. Holt Paperbacks.
- Johnson, S. (2008). Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love. Little, Brown Spark.
- Lebow, J., Chambers, A., Christensen, A., & Johnson, S. (2012). Research on the Treatment of Couple Distress. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 38(1), 145–168.
