How Common Are Exes Who Are Still Friends
Surveys and studies show a measurable share of former couples maintain some form of friendship after a breakup. A 2023 YouGov poll found that about 29% of U.S. adults who have been in a relationship say they are currently friends with at least one ex, while a 2022 Pew Research Center analysis of relationship patterns noted that around 15% of adults who have ever been married describe their relationship with an ex as friendly or very friendly Pew Research Center. Among adults under 30, the share is higher, with roughly 35% reporting at least one ongoing friendly connection with an ex. These figures include a wide range of ties, from occasional contact to regular communication and shared activities.
The prevalence of exes who are still friends varies by age, gender, and how relationships ended. Data from a 2023 Match Group dating behavior report indicates that 38% of respondents aged 18 to 29 say they are friends with an ex, compared with 24% of those aged 50 and older. Women report slightly higher rates of post breakup friendship than men in multiple surveys. Breakups initiated mutually or without major conflict are associated with a higher likelihood of maintaining a friendly connection, while relationships that ended due to betrayal, abuse, or extreme incompatibility show much lower rates of ongoing friendship.
Financial and Professional Implications of Staying Friends with an Ex
When exes who are still friends share financial ties, the relationship can affect credit scores, tax filing, and asset division. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau notes that joint accounts, co-signed loans, and shared leases remain legally binding even after a romantic split, and failure to manage them can damage both parties' credit reports Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. In 2023, credit bureau data showed that disputes involving former partners accounted for a notable share of credit report corrections, with late payments on joint accounts being a top cause of score drops for both individuals.
In the business world, exes who are still friends sometimes cofound startups or serve together on boards. Crunchbase data from 2023 shows that a measurable percentage of venture backed startups list founders or key executives who have a prior romantic relationship, and many of these pairs describe their dynamic as friendly. Companies such as Tesla and SpaceX have had leadership and investor relationships shaped by personal connections between former partners, though detailed financial terms are not always disclosed Forbes. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission requires public companies to disclose material related party transactions, which can include financial dealings between executives who are exes SEC.
How to Manage Ongoing Ties with an Ex in Practical Terms
For exes who are still friends, clear agreements help prevent financial and legal problems. Financial advisors recommend formalizing any shared obligations, such as splitting rent or repaying a loan, with written contracts that specify amounts, due dates, and consequences for missed payments. A 2023 analysis by the American Psychological Association found that couples who set explicit boundaries after a breakup report lower ongoing conflict and better mental health outcomes American Psychological Association. In business contexts, independent directors and conflict of interest policies are standard tools for managing relationships between executives who are former partners.
Digital tools and platforms now make it easier for exes to track shared finances without ongoing personal friction. Services that offer joint budgeting, expense splitting, and automated payment reminders saw increased usage in 2023, according to fintech industry reports. These tools allow exes who are still friends to handle money matters transactionally