Student loans are a constant weight on those who have accumulated them, causing many to hold off on making major life choices — because what even is having money? Some people have even gone so far as moving back in with their parents after college, because they cannot afford to live on their own while paying off student loans.
But now it’s becoming clear that the student debt crisis is also causing problems for young couples who would otherwise be starting their lives and families together. As Business Insider reports, student loan debt is causing about one in eight couples to divorce.
When one or both partners bring so much debt into the marriage, it can cause strain on the relationship (obviously) and eventually lead couples to have constant arguments about their marriage, their lifestyles and their financial values.
If i could divorce myself over my student loans i would https://t.co/mfSWO3gTWx
— Rumspringa Jones (@AJTweetss) August 8, 2018
And, as CNBC notes, student loan debt is at an all-time high of $1.5 trillion — with three times as many borrowers owing more than $50K in debt for college costs. According to a recent survey performed by Student Loan Hero, the average student loan debt for the class of 2017 was $39,400, a six percent jump from the previous year.
One of the main problems resulting from the arguments about loans, experts noted, is disagreement over who will take responsibility of the student loans after the divorce — does the couple continue to split it, or should each individual take responsibility for their own debt? And if someone’s spouse helped pay down their partner’s loans, should they be required to pay their partner back after divorcing?
Currently, there are no laws dictating how student loans should be split up after divorce, which is why many recommend that couples consider getting a pre-nuptial agreement to outline how debt and other financial issues will be handled in the event of a divorce, CNBC also notes.
All couples want to believe that their marriage will last, but the fact is, life (and student loans) happen, and in trying times like these, it’s best to plan for the worst, and hope for the best