We recently discussed how debt factors into property division during divorce. In fact, couples who get divorced often mention money troubles as one of the things that led to their divorce. Just over half of respondents (54%) to one survey listed their spouse’s debt as a reason to consider a divorce.
Why can debt have such a negative effect on a marriage? Let’s look at a few reasons.
Less money to do things together
Do you remember when you started dating? You probably spent quite a bit of money on going out to places. If the money dries up, you might cut down on your outings together. You might get to the point where one or both of you feel the relationship is no longer so much fun because all you do is work and sit at home.
Debt can lead to guilt and secrecy
Not everyone has the same spending priorities. One spouse might consider something worth spending money on but then get berated by their spouse for “wasting” money. This could cause them to become more secretive about their spending.
The spouse who was angry about the spending may also feel guilty if they ever want to spend money on something for themselves. The lack of transparency and the guilt are not good for a relationship.
Debt can add stress
Maintaining a household and keeping up-to-date with all the bills can be difficult. The extra pressure that debt adds can weigh heavily on people – causing them to be less present in their relationship or faster to snap at their spouse. Arguments and blaming could happen more easily if one or both spouses are stressed about debt.
Debt won’t just disappear when you divorce. That’s why it’s important to have experienced legal guidance to understand your options for dealing with it fairly.