How Can I Have My Ex-Wife's Debts Removed From My Credit Report?

Many life events can affect a person's finances, and divorce is no exception. In fact, divorce can have a devastating impact on an individual's credit score if one or both spouses acted irresponsibly with their credit. When a husband and wife separate, it's important for both parties to review his and her credit reports and decide how to deal with any joint accounts that might exist. Only joint accounts should be listed on both party's credit reports. To remove an ex-spouse's account from your credit report, you will most likely need their cooperation.

Instructions

1

Verify with the creditor that your name is not jointly attached to the account listed on your credit report. Joint accounts obtained during a marriage are valid on credit reports and cannot be easily removed. Dispute the item on your credit report only if it is listed on your report and you are not a joint owner of the account according to the credit card company.

2

Contact your spouse and ask her to have your name removed from any joint accounts. Lending companies can and will transfer the entire debt on an account to the name of the person who will be responsible for it upon request from both parties. They can also close the joint account and divide the amount of the balance into separate, new accounts for each individual.

3

Consult with an attorney familiar with consumer law or debt collection practices. Consider threatening legal action against your ex-spouse to have your name removed from joint accounts. Use an attorney as a mediator between you and your ex-spouse to close joint accounts.