How to remove my name from a joint credit card with my ex-husband?
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How to remove my name from a joint credit card with my ex-husband?
My name is still on a credit card I used to share with my now ex-husband. They allowed him to close the account and continue paying the balance, which he agreed to do since the bulk of the debt is his. He has defaulted on his payments and it has affected my credit badly. The credit card company says they can not remove my name from the account once it’s closed even if he agrees to it. They did not mention this to him when he inquired about closing it. What can I do?
Asked on July 25, 2011 California
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
The credit card is closed so you do not need to worry about new charges being placed upon it. This is good for you. However, the debt on the card which is not paid off was accrued when your name was on the credit card with your former husband even though the bulk of the debt is his.
The credit card company has no obligation to remove your name from the debt's obligation since the debt was incurred jointly with you and your former husband.
Your former husband's default on the debt is bad news for you since you are obligated on it since you were married to him when the debt was incurred.
You need to meet with your former husband to work out a payment plan on this credit card debt and once agreed to it, the payments need to be consistent. If you have a marital settlement agreement with your former husband, read it. It may set forth a road map to resolve this credit card debt situation.
Good luck.
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