A question about joint credit cards...?

Question

I share a credit card with my husband. He's the primary card holder, and I'm the co-applicant. He's authorized me to have access with the credit card company, who sent me my own card (under his account).
What does this mean in terms of my rights? Do I have a credit history under my own name? We are getting divorced, and he's threatened to take away my credit card. What rights to I have to keep it? Also, if my card is taken away, what are my obligations to actually PAY BACK the credit?

Answer 1

Since he is the primary member on the card then by all rights he can have your card terminated. Sharing a credit account means that you both have the same account. But since it is in his name and probably only under his social security number than you don't have many rights to keep it if you are getting a divorce. However, if you charge it up then keep in mind that the court will probably make you pay back at least half the amount and he will be responsible for the other half. Now when it comes to credit in general everyone has their own credit report. So if you apply for something by yourself then no one else's name will be on it.

Answer 2

If you were a co-applicant and you signed that you would be responsible for the debt then you are.

If you are an authorized user then the CC company cannot come after you for the debt but he can.

Either way it reports on your credit.

If you were a co-applicant then you may want to cancel the card and both you and he start paying it off or get that settled in the divorce agreement so that you aren't left paying for money he spent.

Answer 3

The only way you could actually kkep the card is if at the time of application, your social was requiered as well. You can also call the credit card company and ask them if you are an aouthorized user or if it's a joint account.

Answer 4

It depends on the state you live as well......