How to Cancel Joint Credit After a Divorce

Divorces typically involve the dividing of assets, the selling of property, the elimination of joint bank accounts and the cancellation of joint credit accounts. Canceling joint credit accounts after a divorce is imperative. Failing to do so can mean that one spouse remains liable for debt accumulated by the other spouse after the divorce -- which can spell trouble.

Instructions

1

Delete your spouse's name as an authorized user if you opened the account originally and had your spouse's name added simply as an authorized user. Contact the credit card company and request removal of your spouse's name and Social Security number.

2

Pay off credit card debts before dissolving any joint accounts and remember that, if both spouses are primary account holders of a credit account, both are liable for the balance -- even after canceling the account.

3

Contact the credit card company and ask the company to cancel the credit account. If one spouse wishes to retain the account in his name only, the credit card company is likely to request that he complete a new application and qualify as an individual account holder.