Reader’s Question

Dear Ashley,
Once divorce, does my ex-husband’s credit score get better since the bad debt was under my name?

My Response

No, credit scores and marriage are not tied together. If you are getting a loan together, they may take both credit scores into account, but that doesn’t mean your actual credit score is affected by your spouses credit.

Best,
Ashley

Reader’s Question

Hi Ashley,
What is the best letter I can send to the credit card company to request my name to be removed from an account to where I am the Main cardholder, but due to an divorce and the agreement signed and documented in the courts that my spouse said he would pay for this debt as we divided the debt equally? Please advise.
Thanks

Response

Hi [name removed],
Unfortunately there isn’t one. The reason why is that divorce decrees (or any other verbal or written agreement made during the divorce) don’t mean squat when it comes to the credit card company’s ability to sue you for an unpaid debt. The truth is, if your name is on the account, you are liable for it. The divorce decree will not hold up if your ex-husband decides not to pay the account and they sue you.