Unless your family is wealthy enough to pay for a college education, or your study habits were good enough to qualify you for a full scholarship, chances are you have student loan debt. For a single person living in San Antonio, TX, it’s daunting to think about how much you owe. Even so, you get a job and make the monthly payments, thankful for your education. If you’re married, the burden of repayment isn’t just felt by the borrower. The spouse also bears the heavy burden of a large and long-term monthly commitment. Student loan debt may be responsible for destroying marriages, especially those of young people. Learn more here about how borrowing money for your education could impact the longevity of your marriage.
Postponing The Wedding
Debt could put a halt to your marriage before you have a chance to say, “I do.” Student loan debt is at a staggering number. According to Forbes, “more than 44 million borrowers collectively owe $1.5 trillion in student loan debt.” That’s just in the United States. While it doesn’t always result in abandoning plans to marry, student loan debt could cause a couple to postpone the wedding until they’ve figured out how the debt impacts the non-borrowing spouse. The state you live in may determine whether you are responsible for student loan debt incurred prior to marriage. If you’re concerned, it’s best to consult with an attorney with experience in family law. For many couples, student loans create concern prior to marriage, but for others, the debt burden takes a toll on post-wedding relationships.
Loan Debt Impacts Intimacy
Debt of any type can upset intimacy in relationships. Most people are conscious of what it means to owe money, especially if payments are overdue and collectors are calling. Student loans are unique because of the high amount of debt and the length of repayment. It’s overwhelming for most people to know they have a regular monthly payment that they are responsible to pay for the next 10-30 years. A survey administered by Student Loan Hero revealed “32% of respondents said they’d experienced a decrease in sex drive, which they blamed on student loan debt.” Further, 24% of borrowers kept student loans a secret from their spouse. Heavy debt is hard enough on marriage but keeping it a secret is also damaging. If student debt is making you think about separating, contact a good divorce lawyer to discuss your options.
Debt Could Mean Divorce
It’s no secret that financial problems put a strain on marriage. The strain can lead to a total breakdown of the relationship resulting in divorce. Business Insider reports an increase in the number of couples who say student loan debt contributed to their decision to divorce. If you’ve considered ending your marriage due to heavy debt, make sure you consult with the best family divorce attorney in San Antonio, Texas. It’s critical that you understand how student loans could impact your financial future after divorce.
No one gets married anticipating a future divorce. Like most couples you started marriage with high hopes of creating a beautiful future together. Divorce happens to the best people. If you’re at the point where you see no option other than divorce, it’s important to ensure you have the best possible representation. Your future depends on it! Contact the Law Offices of Steven C. Benke today to discuss your legal options regarding divorce.