NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The weak economy has cost people their homes and their cars, and now the impact is forcing some Tennesseans to stay in bad relationships. It's just too costly to get a divorce.

Imagine if you wanted to get a divorce, but couldn't because it costs too much.

That's exactly what's happening, according to Brentwood divorce attorney Jonathon Stein.

"I have one client who got laid off, so he's decided not to pursue his divorce," Stein said.

Divorce isn't cheap, ranging anywhere from $800 to tens of thousands of dollars.

"Other clients have shared property, and, with housing values down, they've decided to stay together and wait, hoping that the housing market will come around," he said.

So now, many couples are waiting until the economy gets better.

"They're forced to stay together, not because they want to reconcile or out of love, but out of this need to stay together financially," said Stein.

Besides divorce, people are having a tough time affording the basics, like wills.

"Things like wills and other critical documents ought to be taken care of," said Allan Ramsaur, Tennessee Bar Association.

Saturday, a series of free legal clinics will be held across the state.

"These are basic advice clinics to determine what your rights are, to determine whether a lawyer can help you with them and then refer you on to other resources," said Ramsaur.

Experts said just like a medical condition, many times the longer you wait, the bigger your problem will turn out to be.