Why are long-term couples reluctant to marry?

Amongst the longterm unmarried partners I know the majority of the participants lived through their own parents' bitter divorces as children and so have vowed to never marry just for that reason. 

Financial "advantage"?    That's some kind of urban legend !!  It cost me almost $2000 a year in additional tax.

Amongst the longterm unmarried partners I know the majority of the participants lived through their own parents' bitter divorces as children and so have vowed to never marry just for that reason. 

Are you aware of common law marriages? Depending upon the law where you reside,couples who have lived together for a specified time are considered legally married,with all the rights and yes, obligations. 

You have already acquired your own opinion.  To each his own.   

If you live in exactly the same way as if you are married then what is the point.  Here we have "de facto" marriage which means that legally there is no difference.  If you act as a married couple then the law treats you as a married couple.

Maybe there's no reluctance, but rather a firm decision that's not what they want.

No fault divorce has NOTHING to do with finances.  No fault divorce most definitely does NOT make it easier to divorce.  The same arguments about assets, debts, spousal support, child support exist with or without no fault divorce.  Don't want that argument if/when you divorce?  Enter into a prenup.

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I find your lack of knowledge ("... because it's a settled legal process, divorce is probably easier than sorting out an extra-legal arrangement") to be astounding.  I'm curious about your experience, research, education on the subject.

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I'm sure each and every couple has its own reasons for not marrying.  If you want to discuss the LEGAL advantages of marriage, outside the FINANCIAL benefits, I was widowed in my late 20's.  My husband died very suddenly in his early 30's.  His mother decided SHE was in charge of his medical treatment, and I had her barred from the hospital.  When he died SHE decided she was in charge of his funeral arrangements.  I was his LEGAL WIFE, so her opinions were immaterial.  If we had NOT been married, his mother (who knew nothing about his last wishes) could have and would have made ALL the decisions.

Should you decide to part - you don't have to get the government/legal system involved.

Should financial incentives really be a factor when thinking about marriage?