A recent study has found that 13% of divorced people with student loan debt cite this debt as the cause of their divorce. Traditionally, financial concerns have been a common reason for the dissolution of a marriage, and it appears that student loan debt is a new aspect of this issue.

Student loan debt acquired by either spouse may present complex considerations in your divorce case. It is advisable that an attorney review your case to make sure that these and other debts are handled properly during your divorce proceedings.

Student Loan Debt Reaches New Highs

While not as commonplace in older generations, student loan debt has been increasing in recent years. Both the number of borrowers and the amount borrowed have significantly grown. More than 44 million people in the United States have student loan debt, and it is estimated that the total amount of this debt is $1.5 trillion. Those graduating college in 2017 left school with an average of $39,400 in student loan debt.

National Child Support Awareness Month was established in 1995 by President Bill Clinton, with the purpose of ensuring that all children have the financial support they need. This month is a great time to review Illinois law on this subject as well as the purpose behind child support payments. In the context of a divorce or family law case, child support can be a contentious issue that may require the help of experienced counsel. In addition, Illinois child support laws have recently changed, and an attorney can explain your rights and obligations under the current laws.

Recent Changes to Illinois Child Support Law

As of July 1, 2017, Illinois follows the income shares method of determining child support. The income shares formula considers the average costs to raise a child for a family at a similar income level to what the couple had during their marriage. If there are two incomes, they are added together, and the total child support obligation is based on this combined income. Next, each parent's portion of the obligation is calculated based on the percentage that they contribute to the combined income. Typically, The parent with whom the child resides the majority of the time will receive child support payments from the other parent.

Illinois was the 40th state to adopt the income shares model. Previously, only one parent’s income was used in calculating child support. The income shares model is praised for its fairness by experts. It should be noted that child support orders entered before July 1, 2017 will stay the same unless a parent can demonstrate that a significant change in the family’s circumstances requires a modification.

If you like the idea of getting a divorce without the courtroom drama, you may be interested in mediation. With mediation, you will limit the time you spend in court and in front of a judge. Many people leave the mediation process feeling more in control of their divorce with more ownership over the decisions made.

Mediation Basics

Mediation is a process by which a divorcing couple meets with a neutral mediator to work out the details of their divorce and related matters, such as property division, spousal support, and issues relating to children of the marriage. This typically takes place over the course of several meetings. Once an agreement is reached, it is submitted to the court and will become binding on the parties.

Is Mediation Right for You?

Mediation may or may not be a good fit for you. For mediation to be successful, both you and your spouse must be willing to cooperate with each other and work to reach agreements and compromises that are mutually beneficial. If you and your spouse are not able to work together throughout the mediation process, litigation may be necessary to resolve any outstanding issues.

One of the biggest concerns for divorcing parents is how no longer being married will affect their relationship with their children. Because both parents will likely be granted some parenting time and parental responsibilities, it is true that parents will probably see their children less than they did when they were married.

There are many misconceptions about how a court will determine these legal issues related to children. Many parents believe that a judge will assign the most parenting time to the parent who is the better person. For example, one may think that a parent who had an affair or a parent who has less money may not get as much parenting time.

This is not the reasoning that a court will use to determine parenting time, however. According to Illinois law, parenting time is determined based on what is in the best interests of the children. What is good for the parents or what is fair for the parents is not what the court will look at. By law, the courts must base decisions on what is best for the children.

When it comes to who begins the divorce process more often, the statistics are clear -- women overwhelmingly are the party that is more likely to pull the plug on a marriage. A survey of more than 2,000 heterosexual couples found that women initiated nearly 70 percent of divorces.

Why Women Initiate Divorce More Often

Psychologists say that this figure mirrors what they see in their own practices. Typically, it is the woman who complains of dissatisfaction with their marriage. The man is more likely to express that he is troubled by his wife’s negative feelings about the relationship. However, the man also often says that he is fine with the state of the marriage and that he would prefer to ride out any trouble spots in the relationship.

In addition, married women report lower levels of “relationship quality.” This may have something to do with the fact that women are expected to take the man’s last name and are often responsible for the bulk of the housework and childcare.

Going through a divorce can be a trying and emotionally draining time for anyone. Dealing with the logistics of a separation, from the division of assets to the allocation of parental responsibility, can represent unprecedented challenges. In many cases, those going through the divorce process can struggle with substance abuse, mental fatigue, and complete emotional exhaustion. 

While divorce represents a difficult challenge in anyone’s life, there are ways in which you can limit the emotional toll on you and your family. With that in mind, here are four helpful tips that can help you and your family cope during the divorce process. 

Self-Care Tips During Divorce 

As you work to separate your life from your ex-spouse, emotions are constantly fluctuating, and there are no shortages of unavoidable challenges. Still, there are some simple tactics that can help limit the emotional hardships you and your family face during a divorce: