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When you are about to file for divorce, you know that this is a horrible experience no matter how much you want to do it. There are things you both need to know about and deal with when considering your financial issues. Legal advice may help with this.
Finances should be worked out, if at all possible, before the divorce is completed. Credit reports for each partner need to be secured, examined and fixed so that both reports are accurate. When you examine your finances you will e able to see what credit issues need to be decided.
Joint responsibility for a home mortgage will need to be reworked. Such an issue needs careful management especially when child support and alimony is in the mix. It’s possible that you may decide to sell the home and split the proceeds or you may sell the home to one partner as responsible party.
Other decisions will include car debt, loan debt, credit card debt, etc. Such decisions are difficult, but necessary to avoid credit problems post divorce.
Please know that credit cards should be only in one name. If joint credit card debt is not changed to one responsible party before the divorce, it can occur that credit card companies will go to the party not responsible (according to the decree) for payment. The unpaid debit could go to “collection” and you could start getting those embarrassing phone calls from collectors regarding the payments for the ex-spouse. Poor credit of one affects credit of the other. Take care of this before the divorce.
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 smart to pay off all your joint debts if at all possible even if some things have to be sold. That way you are then only responsible for your own debts. You want to leave the marriage knowing that you have a secure financial base to start the next phase of your life.
Your divorce decree will spell out financial arrangements and the party responsible for each debt. However, if there are still joint debts, these can make life miserable if a creditor is not receiving payment and cause problems for the spouse decreed not responsible. Be proactive about this situation.