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  1. Credit Cards

1 in 3 Divorced Americans Say Credit Card Debt Played a Role in the Split

By: Brenden Rearick
Brenden Rearick
Reporter | Joined March 2023
Brenden Rearick is an experienced personal finance journalist at Money, covering investing, mortgages, real estate, retirement and credit. His work has appeared in the Week, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Miami Herald and NASDAQ.com.
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Editor: Brad Tuttle
Brad Tuttle, expert in Personal finance, shopping, consumer trends, and Senior Editor at Money
Brad Tuttle
Senior Editor | Joined January 2014
Brad Tuttle is a senior editor at Money with over 10 years’ experience covering a vast number of personal finance topics, including careers, cars, travel, budgeting, investing, insurance, credit cards, consumer psychology, real estate, banking, and shopping and deals.
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Published: Mar 15, 2024 4 min read
Photo-illustration of wedding cake toppers, with one being a credit card silhouette, with a knife coming down between them.
Olive Burd / Money; Getty Images

You already know how hard credit card debt can hit your finances. But have you considered how unpaid balances could affect your personal life? According to a survey of America's divorcees, credit card debt can spell trouble for a relationship — and even play a major role in why couples split up.

Survey data shows that a surprising one in three divorced Americans blame credit card debt as a factor in their decision to separate from their spouse. What's more, these same divorcees often find themselves in even more debt after splitting up.

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