Can Debt Ruin Your Relationship?

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When Allison Brooke Eastman’s fiancé found out four months ago just how high her student loan debt was, he broke off their engagement within three days. Although she had told him early in their relationship that she had over $100,000 of debt, when she found that the amount was actually about $170,000, he accused her of lying and walked away from their impending nuptials.

 
Questions:
1. The article mentions that Ms. Eastman pays $1,100 a month for her student loan debt. Assuming that no interest is involved, how many years will it take her to pay off the $170,000?

 
2. Assume that Ms. Eastman must pay 6% interest on the declining balance of the loan. Based on this assumption, how many years will it take her to pay off the $170,000?

 
3. Do you agree with New York divorce law that advanced degrees acquired during the marriage, as well as the earnings power they bring, should be treated as assets to be divided in case of divorce? Why or why not?

 
Source:

 
Lieber, R. (2010). How Debt Can Destroy A Budding Relationship. The New York Times, September 3 (Retrievable at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/04/your-money/04money.html?ex=1299643200&en=297c3a5871503c4b&ei=5087&WT.mc_id=BU-D-I-NYT-MOD-MOD-M166-ROS-0910-L2&WT.mc_ev=click)