Credit Cards and Divorce

Divorce might be a very painful process and moneythe user's name you alone are responsible for
issue often makes it even more unpleasant. Youpayments. So if you are getting separated make sure
need to divide both assets and liabilities. The situationyou have enough income to make at least minimum
can be especially complicated if you have joint creditpayments.
card accounts or your spouse is an authorized userIf you and spouse have separate credit card
on your account. You need to know the law toaccounts usually you won't have problems dividing
make sure your interests are defended.responsibilities. However if you are lucky to live in a
First of all, you need to understand what a jointcommunity property state you might be held
account is. A joint credit card account means thatresponsible for any debts incurred during marriage.
both you and your spouse are equally responsible forMoreover, your spouse's debt may affect your credit
all the transactions and payments. It is a good optionscore.
for a married couple in a situation when one of youThe best way to clinch the matter is to get the
does not have too much of a credit history or adivorce decree that will state who is responsible for
strong income and can not qualify for a good creditwhat credit cards. Make sure you discuss the issue
card deal. When considering applicants for jointwith the bank because your creditors are not parties
accounts creditors check credit reports of bothto the decree. If you have joint accounts you might
family members. If you will be late with yourstill be held liable.
payments the information will be reported to creditIf you act according to the law you should not have
bureaus in both names.a problem separating your financial responsibilities.
If your marriage has fallen apart and you are gettingHowever, you need to pay special attention to your
divorced do not forget that both of you arecredit report and make sure everything is correct. If
responsible of making the payments. According tothe bank charges you for late payments your spouse
the law, your bank cannot close your joint accountis responsible for you should immediately contact its
just because you are divorced. Your ex-partner orrepresentative. If the creditor does not want do
you need to request the bank to do it. However, theanything and keeps billing you the best way would be
creditor has the right to ask you to reapply for ato get a lawyer and file a complaint.
credit card deal on an individual basis. Thus theOf course, it is hard to be clearheaded when you are
credit-issuing company checks your individualin love but if you have decided to get married do not
creditworthiness.forget about the possibility of a divorce. So, if you
If the credit card is opened in your name and yourand your spouse have found a credit card deal that
spouse is an authorized user. Although credityou want to apply for carefully consider all the
information might be reported to credit bureaus inpossible types of credit card accounts.