How to Take a Nonworking Spouse Off Credit Cards to File Bankruptcy

There are many reasons you and your spouse may share a credit card account. Paying household bills automatically on a credit card both of you share simplifies the process and improves cash flow. However, when one of you needs to file for bankruptcy and the other is not working, it is easier to separate all of your accounts. Removing your spouse to prepare for filing for bankruptcy takes a straightforward conversation with your credit card company over the phone.

Instructions

1

Call the customer service number on the back of your credit card. Follow the prompts to get to a live representative. Answer any security questions to verify your identity.

2

Ask to remove your spouse from your credit card account. If your spouse is only an authorized user on your account, removing him or her should go smoothly. If it is a joint account where both your incomes and credit scores determine your interest rate and credit limit, you and your spouse may have to fill out and return paperwork to change the account. This is different with every credit card company, so follow the procedures outlined by the company's representative.

3

Return any filled out and signed paperwork, if required. Note the reference number of the user removal in a safe place along with the date and name of the representative who helped you.

4

Repeat Steps 1 through 3 for each credit card from which you wish to remove your nonworking spouse.

5

Have your spouse check his credit report four to six weeks after being removed from the credit account to verify it has been dropped off his current accounts.

6

Call the credit card company if the account has not been removed from your spouse's credit report. Offer the reference number and date you requested the removal for their reference.