College students graduated with an average of almost $39,500 in student loans last year and a local expert says that debt can impact their relationships.
Dean Listle is with Secure Retirement Solutions in Ashwaubenon. He says a survey found four in 10 people admit to hiding debt from their partner. He says that changes when couples get married. He says the state is a community property state, which means income, debt, and retirement funds belong to both spouses.
13 percent of couples blames student loans for ending their marriage. Listle says he works with people to make a plan for covering their expenses. He says in general people shouldn’t take on more debt than the salary of their profession.
