<prompt> Human: My GF and I have been together for about 3 years and in our later 30s. We both are college educated and going strong in a related field, however she has 40,000 in student loans and I do not have any. I am ready to propose to her, but my family is strongly against it until she pays her loans down or off. What is the real hazard of starting our lives together? Will things change that dramatically if we are wed, or is my family being dramatic? Not looking for relationship advice, just financial information.EDIT: Thank you all for the fantastic advice and support. We have being doing well with our finances in the short term. As we plan to spend our lives together, its only natural we should be looking farther out as well, and will continue with our good habits.If it isnt obvious, my parents divorced over money. I am not getting married with the anticipation of divorce, but some clarity will help prepare us for the future. Also, I can help ease my families concerns.  <response>: Is she doing IBR or PAYE? If so be aware that your combined income will be used to compute her monthly loan payments unless you file your taxes separately. However, married filing separately has a lot of downsides. 