Divorce can have unexpected effects on your credit. If you are at the point of considering a divorce, you need to find out how to deal with your finances before you receive the possibly devastating injuries to your credit. Know your total debt situation. You might want to have legal advice as you go through the division of finances.
It is strongly suggested that the financial issues be worked out prior to the actual divorce date. You need to examine the credit reports for each spouse. Any errors should be fixed so that both reports are accurate. Then you can see what credit issues need to be settled.
There are issues if you are responsible together for a mortgage. Home issues need to be carefully managed particularly if there is alimony and child support involved. You may decide to sell the home or to let one partner buy it. That would take care of that joint loan.
You will need to also arrange to have other debts such as cars, credit cards, utilities, etc. in one name only. These are decisions that will need to be made by both of you and are not always easy.
When credit cards are in both names, get them changed to one name only. If this is not done and payments stop (even though one of you has been deemed responsible), creditors can come after the other partner. This can lead to going to "collection" and numerous unpleasant collection calls. Eventually this situation can lead back to court battles. You should know that the poor credit of one partner can affect the credit of the other.
You want to make certain that all cash assets are divided. Then, close all joint checking and savings accounts. One spouse should not be able to get to the accounts of the other.
It would be very positive if all joint debts could be paid even if some things have to be sold. This would ensure that each partner is responsible for his/her own debts. You want to move on with your life knowing that your financial base is secure albeit smaller than before the divorce.
Financial arrangements will be specifically written into your final divorce decree including the responsible party for debts. However, if any joint debts remain and the decreed responsible party defaults on payment, creditors may still seek payments from the ex spouse. Take care of this possibility. - 16459
It is strongly suggested that the financial issues be worked out prior to the actual divorce date. You need to examine the credit reports for each spouse. Any errors should be fixed so that both reports are accurate. Then you can see what credit issues need to be settled.
There are issues if you are responsible together for a mortgage. Home issues need to be carefully managed particularly if there is alimony and child support involved. You may decide to sell the home or to let one partner buy it. That would take care of that joint loan.
You will need to also arrange to have other debts such as cars, credit cards, utilities, etc. in one name only. These are decisions that will need to be made by both of you and are not always easy.
When credit cards are in both names, get them changed to one name only. If this is not done and payments stop (even though one of you has been deemed responsible), creditors can come after the other partner. This can lead to going to "collection" and numerous unpleasant collection calls. Eventually this situation can lead back to court battles. You should know that the poor credit of one partner can affect the credit of the other.
You want to make certain that all cash assets are divided. Then, close all joint checking and savings accounts. One spouse should not be able to get to the accounts of the other.
It would be very positive if all joint debts could be paid even if some things have to be sold. This would ensure that each partner is responsible for his/her own debts. You want to move on with your life knowing that your financial base is secure albeit smaller than before the divorce.
Financial arrangements will be specifically written into your final divorce decree including the responsible party for debts. However, if any joint debts remain and the decreed responsible party defaults on payment, creditors may still seek payments from the ex spouse. Take care of this possibility. - 16459
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