How Can Divorce Affect My
Credit Score?

Joint Debt Immune from Divorce Decrees

Pay special attention to credit issues if you are getting a divorce. Any negative information in your joint accounts affects both of your credit histories.

A divorce decree has no impact on your joint debts, including credit cards, car loans, home mortgages and lines of credit. You are still obligated to repay any joint debts you may have incurred while you were married. Joint accounts mean joint liability.

Despite the divorce, you are still liable for your spouse's debt in joint accounts. If your spouse fails to pay a debt as ordered in a divorce decree, you will have to pay the debt to protect your credit history. You should then contact your attorney to take action against your ex-spouse to force payment to you.

When you divorce, you must contact each credit grantor and either close all joint accounts or convert them to individual accounts.

In community property states, you and your spouse are considered co-owners of all debts, regardless of whose name is on the account.

If you are an authorized-user on your spouse's account, you may have no credit history at all. Request copies of your individual credit report to find out.

If you fear that your former spouse is going to file for bankruptcy, contact your divorce attorney immediately to protect your credit and finances.