Advice from Nashville's Financial Guru Dave Ramsey

Dave Says
By Dave Ramsey
Author of Financial Peace and The Total Money Makeover
2/8/2005

"What do I do about a separated wife running up credit bills!"

Dear Dave,

My wife and I separated back in October and we’re in the process of going through a divorce. Before we separated, we each had a credit card from a shared account. After she left, I got statements from the credit card company that she had charged $625 three different times – that’s $1,875 charged without my knowledge. I signed on to the account later, but she is the primary person on the account. 

I’m also getting bills for other things she owes from after the separation, such as a medical bill for $1,200 and the utility bill from her current home that we used to live in together. The utilities are still in my name.

How can I make sure I don’t have to pay all of this?

Lee in Paducah, KY



Dear Lee,

You are liable for any bill that is from a service for which you signed up, such as her utilities and credit card. You need to take your name off of her utilities immediately. You need to immediately take your name off of any checking accounts you once shared. You also need to contact the credit card company by mail, return receipt requested, and tell them you will not be liable for any charges made to that account after the day they receive the letter. However, you are technically liable up until then because you are still signed up on those accounts. It doesn’t matter that she is the primary borrower on the account, because you are the co-borrower on that account. It also doesn’t matter that you weren’t aware of the $1,875 that she charged after the separation. You both signed up for that account and you are both liable for any charges made to it. You are not responsible for her medical bills because you didn’t sign for that debt.

As a practical matter, you can negotiate for her to pay the bills she has run up since your separation as a part of the divorce agreement. 

-Dave

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