In most cases you will not be responsible to pay off your deceased spouse’s debts. As a general rule, no one else is obligated to pay the debt of a person who has died. If there is a joint account holder on a credit card, the joint account holder owes the debt.

Can I be forced to pay my spouse’s debt?

Generally, one is only liable for their spouse’s debts if the obligation is in both names. But, unlike a common law state, in community property states all debts incurred by either spouse during the marriage are shared equally, regardless of whose name is on the account.

Should I pay off my credit cards before divorce?

If you have any joint debt with your spouse and you can afford to, we highly recommend paying off all marital debt, even before you draw up the divorce papers. For example, if you have $5,000 in joint credit card debt, pay it off before the divorce is finalized.

Is it possible to pay off multiple credit cards?

Debt can feel overwhelming, especially when you have debt on multiple credit cards. With these strategies you can take control, to know you’re making progress in paying off your debt and save money on interest. In more ways than one, debt can be a four-letter word.

When did my wife rack up credit card debt?

My wife racked up our first credit card debt (about $13,000) back in 2002, shortly after we got married. I was upset, but I agreed to refinance our house to pay off the cards. She agreed that she wouldn’t pile up more debt.

Who is responsible for credit card debt in a divorce?

The agreement you have with a card issuer is that you are required to pay that debt. So even if your spouse is supposed to help you pay down credit card debt in your name, if they don’t, you are still on the hook for it. The creditor will come after you.

Is it worth it to pay off credit card debt?

Whether or not you can pay off your credit cards immediately, make it a priority to maintain a positive payment history and use credit responsibly. Even if it takes a while to clear your balances, your credit will thank you in the end—and so will your bank account. Need to Pay Down Debt?