2007-03-07 01:04:40 · 39 answers · asked by tb41uk 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
While it's not your debt, it will impact your life.
So legally, you are not obligated. However, you still gets to share the baggage you each bring into the marriage.
I would sign a pre-nup spelling out what debts you have and your soon to be spouse has before marriage, and stipulating that the pre-existing debts any debts either of you incurs during the marriage that are not joint accounts are NOT to be considered marital debts. The only debts that qualify as marital debts are those you both knowingly open as joint accounts. Accounts where either of you open them and simply give the other access rights don't qualify as joint accounts as either of you could open an account and have cards issued in your spouses name but never give them the card, ultimately sticking them with 1/2 that debt if you two should divorce.
So, if your soon to be spouse gets a bunch of credit cards, or buys a new car or motorcycle without your name on the loan contract, then the asset is his (or hers) and so is the debt until it's paid off. Once paid off, it becomes a marital asset. Same for you, if you get a bunch of department store credit cards in your name only and charge them up, don't try to pawn that off as marital debt if you end up divorced.
I think a pre-nup that protects each of you from the others financial individualism is possible. See a lawyer to be sure.
2007-03-07 01:23:36 · answer #1 · answered by camys_daddy 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yes and no.....any debts or assets a person has befor the marriage are not community property (for instance if you own your own home befor the marriage it will still be your home after ....although the spouse is entitled to half of what the property appreciates during the marriage)....as far as debts go, they dont become your debts, but they do effect things such as your combined credit score. And you may also find yourself contributing to get them cleared away.
2007-03-07 01:12:40 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not former debts. Only the debts that you incur after marriage. If you were to go and rack up a couple thousand dollars on a credit card, your spouse is on the hook as well!
2007-03-12 06:01:44 · answer #3 · answered by the_watcher_74 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
not legally but some people feel that their money is now each others and each persons debt is now the others and may try to help. Isnt marriage a team effort? It is entirely up to the couple though if one feels they should help the other then I would hope the other would want to hellp to. It's about teamwork.
2007-03-11 20:58:33 · answer #4 · answered by Princess K! 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, not in any way. I married nearly two years ago and my husband accumulated numerous debts through the fault of his ex wife. We went to see a solicitor and he said that in no way is a wife responsible for her husband's debts either before or after marriage and vice versa. What he DID say was that anything of value should be kept in my name (I own my own house) such as bank account, house etc. - that way nothing can be taken in leiu of debt.
2007-03-07 03:08:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The answer is no. What you did before does not affect who you will be with as far as marriage goes. Just as if you were single and brought things that you had. Upon a divorce, you get back those possessions along with 50% of what you acquired in the next marriage
2007-03-14 17:33:57 · answer #6 · answered by yogi 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No you cant pay for something that's not in your name. I know this is a little different but my brother was living with me and he got a car on fiance but then he moved away and the car was just left outside my house i called up the finance company to explain what was going on and they wouldn't even discuss his account with me as my name wasn't on the agreement so if you haven't signed anything don't worry about it, it is not and would not be your problem even if you where married. Good Luck x
2007-03-07 01:15:29 · answer #7 · answered by lou. c. 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the United Sates pre-marriage debts are not assumed by the other spouse - and any jurisdiction having such a law would violate public policy as such policies are clearly designed to encourage marriage not discourage it
2007-03-14 13:38:48 · answer #8 · answered by JET99 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are not liable for debts of your spouse before the marriage.
2007-03-07 01:18:11 · answer #9 · answered by mekebaby3 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
not so much legally liable, but you may feel morally liable. i know i do, and my soon to be husband helps me out with my debts that i had before we met. but we put our money together. what ever needs paid gets paid, we don't go half on things, or spend our "own" money. it just all goes towards things that needs to be paid for.
2007-03-11 16:31:14 · answer #10 · answered by Jamie Lynn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋