Can a creditor come after me for a lease that my exhusband incurred without my knowledge while we were married?
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Can a creditor come after me for a lease that my exhusband incurred without my knowledge while we were married?
My husband leased an apartment while he was still living with me (from 2003 to 2004 we were divorced 1/2005). He was evicted and has been served a judgement. Fees are being assessed and a creditor located me wanting information to help them collect (he is not working, it is not likely they will be successful). She indicated that AZ is a community property state. Can I be held responsible for a lease I had no knowledge of that occured over 5 years ago?
Asked on May 27, 2009 under Family Law, Arizona
Answers:
J.M.A., Member in Good Standing of the Connecticut Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 15 years ago | Contributor
I am a lawyer in CT that practices in this area.
As a general proposition of Arizona law, either husband or wife has the statutory authority to incur debts for the benefit of the community. Wife may purchase a new Mercedes under her signature and without her husband's knowledge, and the payments for that Mercedes are the liability of the community composed of the husband and wife.
Arizona, by statute, recognizes two significant exceptions to the statutory authority of either spouse to bind the community: first, liabilities under personal guaranties and, second, most real estate transactions. Arizona statutes exempt (with a few exceptions) any transaction for the acquisition, disposition, or encumbrance of an interest in real property and any transaction of guaranty, indemnity or suretyship.
Therefore, your situation is analogous to the car example and you may therefore be liable if the lease was for your benefit too. I would talk to a lawyer in your area and not respond to the collection calls unless a suit is filed.
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