Evey Black Attorneys logo

Hollidaysburg: 814-317-6914 

Roaring Spring: 814-317-6254

Preventing credit issues after divorce

On Behalf of | Dec 6, 2017 | Family Law |

When couples in Pennsylvania divorce, finances are typically a primary area of concern. This is particularly true if a couple has joint debt in the form of loans, mortgages and credit card accounts. Therefore, it is crucial that debt and credit related issues be addressed during the divorce process.

Each spouse has his or her own credit history and score. Debts taken out by one spouse in his or her name only appear only in his or her credit history. However, many couples have joint debt, which can be reported on both credit histories.

Once the marriage ends, spouses should order copies of their credit reports from all three major credit bureaus. This allows a spouse to challenge any errors and to be aware of just what liabilities he or she is responsible for.

The spouse should then monitor the credit reports on a monthly basis. This will provide an alert if the other spouse opens a new joint account. In addition, if the ex has committed to paying a joint debt, the credit report will show whether that spouse is meeting those obligations. If the ex is not making payments, the credit of both spouses may be damaged. Knowing about late payments can allow a spouse to contact a creditor and make arrangements for timely payment.

When possible, spouses should close joint accounts and sign up for banking and credit accounts separately. However, if there is significant debt that must be paid before a joint account can be closed, spouses may benefit from speaking with family law attorneys. In some cases, it may be possible to divide this debt equitably in a divorce settlement, thus preventing one spouse from having to pay more than he or she is required to by law.

FindLaw Network
Blair County Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame, 2004

X

YOU MAY ONLY UTILIZE THE ONLINE PAYMENT SYSTEM TO PAY INVOICES ISSUED BY EVEY BLACK ATTORNEYS LLC.

Clients may NOT use the online payment system to pay any bankruptcy matter or inheritance tax imposed in an estate administration matter (Evey Black Attorneys LLC will not issue an invoice for these matters). Additionally, any municipal authority/township/borough sewer and/or water customer may NOT make any payment related to any delinquency for which this firm is collecting. Bankruptcy, estate administration tax matters and payments related to sewer and/or water delinquencies must be paid by cash, money order, certified bank check or personal check (personal checks in sewer/water delinquency matters or for inheritance tax payments may not be allowed in certain circumstances).

USE OF THE ONLINE PAYMENT SYSTEM IN VIOLATION OF THE ABOVE WILL RESULT IN EVEY BLACK ATTORNEYS LLC REFUNDING TO THE CREDIT CARD THE AMOUNT OF MONEY ORIGINALLY CHARGED, MINUS ANY TRANSACTION FEES EVEY BLACK ATTORNEYS LLC IS CHARGED, AND A $10 SERVICE CHARGE WILL BE IMPOSED. IN THE CASE OF A BANKRUPTCY PAYMENT, THE ENTIRE BALANCE WILL BE CREDITED AND THE CLIENT WILL REMAIN RESPONSIBLE TO PAY THE TRANSACTION FEES EVEY BLACK ATTORNEYS LLC IS CHARGED PLUS A $10 SERVICE CHARGE.

By clicking to proceed below, you are acknowledging you have read and understood the above restrictions on the use of the online payment system and agree to the charges set forth herein if you make a payment in violation of such restrictions.

PROCEED