If my girlfriend and I are engaged but she has debt, what will be my potential liability?
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If my girlfriend and I are engaged but she has debt, what will be my potential liability?
I have excellent credit and a few assets that are paid in full. She has some unpaid debts from previous years. I’m wondering if the collectors can come are my money and assets once we are married. Also, I put her on my bank accounts so she was able to cash her paychecks.
Asked on December 15, 2012 under Family Law, Georgia
Answers:
S.L,. Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
If you live in a community property state, community property is property acquired during marriage. Community property also includes income and debt incurred during marriage. Each spouse has a one half interest in the community property.
Separate property is property acquired before marriage or after the marriage ends. Separate property also includes income and debt incurred before marriage or after the marriage ends. A spouse has no claim to the other spouse's separate property.
Your girlfriend's pre-marriage debt is her separate property, and you are NOT liable for her debt incurred before marriage because it is her separate property.
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