How to Stop Debt From Ruining Your Marriage
Saying that money is the number one cause of divorce is like saying that money is the root of all evil; too many contradictory and, in some cases, mutually exclusive things are within the category of “money.” Some marriages fall apart because the spouses are dishonest with each other about their finances. In other cases, one spouse thinks that the other prioritizes his family of origin over their new family, but where it hurts the most is when he spends more of his income on his siblings than she is comfortable with. Both of these are different from the couple that divorced because one unavoidable financial hardship after another eroded their patience, and they took it out on each other, and that is a different scenario from the wife who was so obsessed with appearing financially successful that her husband eventually felt that, no matter how much money he earned, his wife would never be happy with him, because she could never be happy with herself. You can solve some of the financial problems that exacerbate marital conflict with the help of a Philadelphia debt relief lawyer.
Be Real With Your Spouse About Finances, Even Before You Get Married
Everywhere you look, you can see ways in which years of financial hardship have brought out the worst in people. If there is an upside, though, it is that young people have increasingly embraced prenuptial agreements. This means that they have started being honest about their finances before they get married. These are some financial issues you should discuss with your spouse before you get married:
- Are you willing to sign an agreement holding your spouse harmless for your student loan debt if you currently owe student loans or plan to borrow them from each other?
- If financial circumstances require it, which relatives will you move in with, or which ones will move in with you? How will you set boundaries with your extended family if you are living under one roof?
- How will you avoid the pressures of consumerism? What is your game plan for cultivating a nonmaterialistic social circle?
- How will you manage sleep and housework when both spouses are working multiple jobs?
- What will you do if one spouse must move to another city for work?
Don’t Blame Your Spouse for the Fact That Everything Is Too Expensive
All families are unique, but the biggest predictor of whether your marriage can weather financial hardships is your attitude toward your spouse. Remember that the real problem is that everything is too expensive, not that the debit card paying those expensive bills has your spouse’s name on it. Your spouse did not cause inflation or an uncertain job market, even if you and your spouse voted for different candidates.
Contact CONSUMERLAWPA.com About Your Debt Relief Options
A Philadelphia consumer law attorney can help you get out of debt and keep your marriage together. Contact CONSUMERLAWPA.com to set up a free, confidential consultation.
Source:
discover.pbc.gov/coextension/FACS/Family/WhyDebtDestroysMarriages.aspx
