husband's credit ruined due to ex-wife?

Question

My husband was married before and has been divorced for about 3 years. We tried to get accounts or loans together but he is unable to get any due to the fact that she is defaulting on credit cards they had when they were together. When they divorced he took out a loan to pay her his half of the debt. She did not pay off the cards and his credit sucks. Yesterday we got a bill of hers in the mail that is still in his name. I cannot get through to him how angry this makes me. Our credit is suffering because of her and the fact that we got this bill in his name and in care of her really makes me angry. Why didn't one of them make calls to get his name off? What do I do to get through to him and try to get his credit cleared up? I have no idea what household bills are still in his name and neither does he. She is always late on all her credit cards. We don't have a copy of his divorce papers becuase he gave them to her when she lost her copy. Any ideas?

I know that we are stuck...at least I have good credit. I just really got ticked yesterday when we once again got her bill and it was a household bill with my husband's name on top and in care of her. When I asked him he just shrugged his shoulders. So I am wondering how I approach the subject with him. why wouldn't he have made all the phone calls to get his name of stuff when they divorced? I just don't understand and now 3 years later they are still on there. I know we tread lightly on huge issues as she is very good at threatning that we won't see the kids as much as we want. Which is low and she can't keep them from us anyways but it scares him and he caves. When it comes to the cards. He claims he didn't know anything about them until the divorce but knowing him like I do he just turned a blind eye and was then shocked at how much in debt they were. I

he's not decieving me he's just very afraid of losing time with his kids. She has used it before and he cave's so she keeps using it.

Answer 1

For the time being, you are going to have to use YOUR credit to get things, and have him as an authorized user.

His ex-wife is trying to stick it to him in any way she can out of bitterness and spite, and until 7 years elapses AFTER he closes doesnt the last of their "joint " accounts, he's gonna have to live with the dings she is giving him.

You not only marry the person.. but their credit history too.. I know its frustrating, but time is on your side and in a few years this should stop happeneing to the both of you......

Answer 2

The problem is almost all divorce attorneys will not make it a mandatory in final settlement that one or the other must close accounts and reopen in their name only after a divorce. I see this all the time.You would think that with all their education that they would get this enforced by the judge. They don't and your husbands name will never come off until this happens. He can take her back to court and get a judgment ---but if she has no cash he is still messed up. She can probably not refinance the debt either as her credit is a mess as well.He is still considered a co-maker on the debts.

Answer 3

Contact the the County Courthouse where the divorce was filed to obtain a copy of the divorce. Then obtain a copy of your husbands' credit file.

If the debts that are being charged to him are showing any recent charges made (AFTER the divorce), inform his ex that you will be filing a criminal complaint for identity theft and fraud, (with possible "extortion" charges regarding his past payment for his half of debts, as a condition to maintain visitation rights).

Also send dispute letters to the three Credit Bureaus, stating that these are not his debts (include divorce decree), and insist that these "fraudulent accounts" be removed from his files.

Good Luck.

Answer 4

FIRST
Contact the Lawyer who did the divorce and get a copy.
SECOND
Cancel all bills that are in his name (should have been
done while divorce was going on) that includes
phone, electric and cable, send shut off notices.
THIRD
cancel any and all credit cards
FOURTH
Get all copies of his credit report, anything delinquent
should be on their and they should be able to give
you the contact information.


www.creditinfocenter.com
buddhibbs.com

I would consult with a lawyer about a lawsuit for identity
theft and proof is his check that he paid his half along
with a copy of the Divorce Decree

what a mess

good luck to you !!!!

Answer 5

If your hubby and his ex-wife had credit together, in both of their names, then it is both of their responsibilities to pay the debt - divorce does not release one party from obligation to the marital debt. Your husband is not an innocent victim in this - he should have taken steps to cancel all accounts in his name so that she could not continue to use them, that way when they were paid in full he would not have to worry about it anymore. As far as getting a copy of the divorce papers, you can get a copy from the divorce lawyer he used, but that will not help to clear up his credit. Sorry to say, but he (and you) are just going to have to deal with it and start to rebuild his credit.

Answer 6

Hi there,

Sadly i don't have any ideas but i would like to say that i think this man is decieving you in some way....
He's just way to nice to his ex for some reason or another.
Maybe finding out the truth from him could be the end of all your problems.

Good luck....

Answer 7

Don't be resentful! Just remember she didn't get them into debt by herself, he helped. He knows more about what is going on than he leads you to believe. You will never know the true facts of the divorse. He is the one you should be questioning.