If you're recently divorced or separated-or are thinking about it-your next moves have to be smart. These suggestions can help you make the right credit-related decisions for your unique situation.
The rules have changed. It's a tougher game now.
With divorce and separation come new experiences and responsibilities across the board. Suddenly words like "child support payments" and "100% liable for bills" enter the picture. If you ignore your increased financial obligations or fail to separate your accounts, then it may be hard to open new accounts and obtain new loans in your name. But there are many moves you can make to protect and restore the good credit you took years to build.
Get your credit report. It will decide your starting position.
Before you begin, get an idea of what the entire playing field looks like. Call 1-888-EXPERIAN (1-888-397-3742) for information on how to get a copy of your Experian credit profile.
Protect your good credit. You're responsible for joint accounts.
Your divorce decree does not relieve you from joint debts you incurred while married. You are responsible for joint accounts, from credit cards and car loans to home mortgages. Even when a divorce judge orders your ex-spouse to pay a certain bill, you're still legally responsible for making sure it is paid because you promised-both as a couple and as individuals-to do so.
The credit grantor (a bank, credit card issuer, mortgage company or other credit-lending business) also has a legal right to report negative information to a credit bureau if your ex-spouse pays late on a joint account. If your ex-spouse doesn't pay at all, you'll probably have to pay-or the grantor can take legal action against you.
Close or separate joint accounts.
If you can talk to your ex-spouse, you can save a lot of grief. Analyze all your debts and decide who should be responsible for each. Call your creditors and ask them how to transfer your joint accounts to the person who is solely responsible for payments. However, you still might have legal responsibility to pay existing balances unless the creditor agrees to release you from the debt.
Take stock of your properties.
You may have to refinance your home to get one name off the mortgage. Or you might need to sell your home and divide the proceeds.
Keep paying all bills.
Until you can separate your accounts, neither of you can afford to miss a turn paying bills. During divorce negotiations, send in at least the minimum payment due on all joint bills. Miss even one payment and it stays on your credit profile for up to seven years, making it hard to obtain new credit in your own name. Beware of well-meaning friends and relatives who may tell you to ignore making payments or to run up debts. Just play by the rules: make all payments with at least the minimum due.
Establish credit independently. New credit sets you up for future moves.
This is a major way to move ahead in your new independent direction.
Start small and build up.
Get a credit card that has a small credit limit, perhaps from a local department store of financial institution. Then always pay your bills on time so your credit history will be excellent. After six months, apply for another card and continue paying bills consistently. Don't run your debt up beyond what you can afford to pay. It's a winning strategy that's easy to master.
Ask a family member or friend to cosign.
Perhaps a relative or friend with an established credit history can cosign your loan or credit application-provided you repay that cosigned debt on time. Remember, any transaction also will show up on the cosigner's credit profile. After a few months, try again to get credit on your own.
Consider applying for a secured credit card.
You must open and maintain a savings account as security for your line of credit. Your credit line is a percentage of your deposit. Beware of the extra fees you may have to pay for secured credit.
Rebuild positive credit history. Begin anew with good information.
You can pick up your pieces and start the game fresh with a positive credit report-if you pay your bills on time. After all, your credit profile is always evolving.
Your recent bill-paying pattern is critical.
Your behavior (during the next 18-24 months) is most important in deciding whether you're a good credit risk. Even one late payment can affect your ability to get a mortgage.
Help is available if you're having difficulty paying bills.
The nonprofit National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC), 800-388-2227, can help you establish a budget and repay creditors.
Bankruptcy is a last resort. You may lose a lot of ground.
Bankruptcy could be the last move to make if you get in over your head. Or it could spell checkmate on your financial future if you aren't careful.
It's not an easy way out.
Filing for bankruptcy is no guarantee that it will be granted because a court judgment must be made. Even if all you do is file your bankruptcy papers with the court, it gets reported on your credit profile.
Not all debts are included in bankruptcy.
Things like alimony, child support, student loans and taxes secured by liens still must be paid consistently.
Bankruptcy remains on your credit profile up to 10 years.
While a declaration of bankruptcy removes many debts, any reference to filing, dismissal or discharge still appears on your credit profile up to 10 years for Chapter 7, up to 7 years for Chapter 13. During this time, you'll find it more difficult if not impossible to get a new mortgage, personal loan or a credit card.
Consider mediation. Remember, you're playing for keeps.
Mediation can make the game much fairer by helping you and your ex-spouse work out a reasonable and equitable divorce agreement. If you'd like help finding a mediator, contact the American Arbitration Association. To locate an attorney, check with your state or local Bar Association.
You CAN win with the right credit-related decisions.
No matter where you land on the divorce board, you will have to take certain actions that can be real challenges, particularly from a credit standpoint. But when you know the rules and plan your moves (credit or other) skillfully, future moves you make in new directions will be smoother.
For further information, please refer to the resources listed here. By protecting and establishing your credit, you can score more points toward a positive financial future.
Resources
Experian
Consumer Education Department
800-947-7900/www.experian.com
(1-888-397-3742 to request a credit report)
Call For Action, Inc.
Consumer Hotline
800-647-1756
Federal Trade Commission
Brochure on divorce and credit
Brochure on women and credit
202-326-2222/www.ftc.gov
Please note:
The information contained in these pages regarding credit-related decisions is provided by Experian to consumers as suggestions but not specific recommendations. This information may not be applicable to the specific facts and circumstances of your situation and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice.
About the Author...
This and many other helpful consumer articles may be found at www.debtkiller.com or by reviewing Janna's many regular personal financial updates at her blog, http://jannajones.blogspot.com.
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