SAN FRANCISCO -

In new survey results released today that looked at how married and divorced people deal with credit and debt that can include auto loans, Credit.com found that almost half (49 percent) of currently married couples reported their credit scores to be about the same as their partners, while only 26 percent of divorced couples said the same when referring to their scores during the time they were married.

Beyond that trend, the site discovered 81 percent of married survey respondents who said they had similar credit scores to their spouse reported they were very satisfied (52 percent) or somewhat satisfied (29 percent) with how they were managing their credit and finances.

These same respondents also tended to manage their credit and debt cooperatively with their spouse (61 percent) versus divorced people when they were married (29 percent).

Yet overall, Credit.com's survey indicated only 37 percent of married couples are very satisfied with the way they are managing their finances, while 49 percent of divorced couples say the same.

Analysts shared other important takeaways from the 2014 Marriage, Divorce & Credit Survey.

Respondents are fairly evenly split on whether their credit scores improve or get worse after divorce:

• 30 percent of divorced respondents say their scores are significantly better after their divorce.

• 31 percent say that their scores got worse

• 16 percent say their scores are somewhat better

• 23 percent say that they don't know.

For divorced individuals, credit and debt usage grew during marriage (comparing prior-to-marriage versus post-divorce debt levels). The site found:

• Those with credit card balances increases from 53 percent to 70 percent

• Those with mortgages increases from 32 percent to 54 percent

• Those with auto loans increases from 38 percent to 46 percent

• Those with student loans increases from 24 percent to 31 percent

• Those with medical debt increases from 20 percent to 27 percent

Credit.com also found that it can take a long time to separate finances after a divorce:

• 6 percent say it took more than 3 years

• 14 percent say it took between 1-3 years

• 15 percent say it took between 6-12 months

• The remainder say it took less than 6 months

Many survey participants regret not talking about credit and finances before marriage:

• 28 percent of divorced regret not discussing credit and financial goals before getting married versus 10 percent of currently married people.

• 66 percent say that money contributed to their divorce.

• 45 percent of married say that credit / debt issues cause stress in their marriage

Finally, Credit.com noticed satisfaction in how they are managing their credit and finances can improve, as well since 49 percent of divorced individuals are very satisfied with how they are managing their finances after their divorce versus just 37 percent of married people.

Credit.com's Marriage, Divorce & Credit Survey was based on data collected from 1,061 U.S. consumers, age 18 and older, using SurveyMonkey Audience between Jan. 31 and Feb. 2.