If you’ve ever been in a relationship, you know that couples argue about money. Money issues are cited by relationship experts as one of the main things couples argue about, and one of the leading factors contributing to divorce.

Trying to figure out why certain couples argue about money is like trying to figure out why certain couples got together. Each one has their own—or multiple—reasons.

And when couples share bank accounts, bills and other financial responsibilities, differences in spending and saving habits can lead to tension and arguments that spill from the checkbook into every aspect of life.

Is Arguing Such a Bad Thing?

• Research from the Center for Marital and Family Studies at the University of Denver found that couples who argue are more likely to be satisfied with their marriages than couples who withdraw from conflict.
• Arguing (or civil discussion) may be able to help couples recognize the habits that cause tension, and then work to minimize those habits. If an argument never gets past the finger-pointing stage, those underlying causes may never be examined.
• Arguing forces you to plan. If tension also comes up at “that time of the month” (when bills are due), you may be more inclined to put more into savings or cut back spending to make certain all bills are paid on time.

Couples and Bankruptcy

Under U.S. bankruptcy code, married couples may file bankruptcy together, or one person may file personal bankruptcy alone, depending on the types of debt.

Filing chapter 13 bankruptcy can protect homeowners from foreclosure, and it may protect cosigners as well, such as spouses.

Typically, couples will have to take a debt management course before receiving a debt discharge, whether they file jointly or not. This allows couples to exit the bankruptcy process on the same page—and hopefully with fewer arguments over money.