How Bankruptcy Can Break the Cycle of Marital Discord

This unrelenting economic downturn has been rough on all Americans—whether they be single, dating, engaged, married or widowed. But, as anyone who has ever been married already knows: money can be the main cause of many a marriage’s marital strife. As a result, in this especially difficult economic climate—full of job insecurity, rising mortgage costs, health care uncertainties and other mounting money woes—times have never been tougher for couples pushed to the brink of bankruptcy.  Many are left to wonder, who or what can help?

Yet, no matter how tough the economic tide, laying blame to your spouse for your family’s financial problems can be a dead end road that often leads to, at best, long-term distrust, and, at worst, the dissolution of the entire marriage. As unfortunate as it is that one or the other spouse may be the cause of the couple’s insolvency, fortunately, the power of the Bankruptcy Code can provide hard-hit couples with a clean slate by which to not only discharge their shared debt but also provide a unique opportunity to learn valuable lessons in budgeting and other healthy financial behaviors, together. These lessons include:

Bankruptcy Ends the Blame
Unlike a disgruntled spouse, bankruptcy does not blame either party or search for a decisive reason behind a debtor’s insolvency.  Instead, a bankruptcy filing means an accounting of all relevant debts and responsive solutions to how to discharge them. As a result, this process takes the pressure out of solving previously insurmountable problems with debt and creditor claims, granting a clean slate by which one spouse can be forgiven, another can forget, and both can move forward into a financially viable future.

Bankruptcy Ends Arguments at Their Source
As anyone who is married can attest, marriage and debt can make for a very volatile mix.  Bankruptcy removes divisive topics like debt from most marital arguments—discharging creditor claims and giving the previously cash-strapped couple the chance to begin to save for their next best steps.

Bankruptcy Protects Marital Assets
Bankruptcy shields a married couple’s most valuable assets and precious income using the power of an “automatic stay.”  This court-mandated suspension of creditor claims can shield the marriage by protecting the innocent spouse from the financial indiscretions of the other—preventing wage garnishment, creditor lawsuits, and unwieldy interest fees.   

Bankruptcy Can Sooth Marital Stress
Finally, in addition to wiping away many of the most pressing debts affecting many couples these days—and thereby relieving some of the fodder for arguments and discord—being honest with your spouse, or each other, about a dire financial situation, will provide a healthy framework for your relationship. This honest dialogue sets a perfect stage for a safe financial future and provides a strong marital precedent to overcome other challenges that both husband and wife may face in the weeks, months, and years ahead.

If you are considering filing for bankruptcy to strengthen your union, as well as your finances, knowing a qualified bankruptcy attorney can also help you make the right spending decisions, yielding the right kinds of support, information and insights—at a low cost— for a fiscally viable and secure portfolio.  The bankruptcy experts at the Law Offices of John T. Orcutt offer a totally FREE debt consultation and now, more than ever, it’s time to take them up on their offer. Just call toll free to +1-833-627-0115, or during the off hours, you can make your own appointment right online at www.billsbills.com. Simply click on the yellow “FREE Consultation Now” button.