As you go through the divorce process, you understand that you are leaving your relationship in the past. But what you may not realize is that the division of assets and debts is much more complicated than it appears.
While most people focus on the division of property, they overlook the fact that debt must be divided as well. For many, this means credit card debt.
Generally speaking, debt incurred during a marriage is the responsibility of both partners. Of course, this only holds true if both are co-signers on the loan or in this case, credit card.
Note: If the credit card is in the name of one person, but the other is only a cardholder, only the one partner is responsible for the debt.
While these tips are not always possible to follow, you should take them into consideration:
— Do your best to go through divorce with no joint debt, especially that associated with a credit card.
— Look into all your options, such as paying off the cards altogether or transferring an equal balance to separate credit cards.
— Make it clear as to who is responsible for paying what debt.
Credit card debt is something weighing down millions of Americans. If you are going through divorce and carrying this type of debt, make sure you have a clear idea of how it will be dealt with.
In the end, what matters most is that you are okay with the division of assets and debt. Knowing your legal rights and getting professional help will put you in a better place.
Source: CreditCards.com, “Dividing credit card debt in divorce,” accessed Sep. 14, 2016