Does bankruptcy affect ex-spouse?
Sophia Koch
Updated on February 20, 2026
If your ex-spouse filed a chapter 7 bankruptcy and those debts were discharged by the courts, then the co-signer becomes responsible for those debts. That means those debts become your responsibility. The ex-spouse will have their cash, but they will no longer own the property.
What happens if my ex declares bankruptcy?
Therefore, if one person declares bankruptcy, the other person in the relationship will have to continue making full payments on any joint debt remaining. If you file for bankruptcy to eliminate your debts, your creditors can go after your ex-spouse for the full amount of any joint debts you had while together.
How do you get a ex off your credit report?
After being taken off the account by the lender, you can request that the account be removed from your credit report. If you are listed as a joint account holder you will need to contact the creditor and ask that you they change the account contract to remove you as a joint holder.
How do I find out if my ex filed for bankruptcy?
If you need to find out if your ex filed for bankruptcy, you need to know the district he or she would have filed in, and that person’s legal name or social security number. With this information, you can search PACER, which is the online court records system. You can also inquire at the courthouse in person.
What are consumer proposals?
A consumer proposal is a formal, legally binding process that is administered by a Licensed Insolvency Trustee (LIT). In this process, the LIT will work with you to develop a “proposal”—an offer to pay creditors a percentage of what is owed to them, or extend the time you have to pay off the debts, or both.
What should I do if my ex spouse files for bankruptcy?
There are some rare circumstances in which alimony can be discharged, so be safe and contact your divorce lawyer to ensure your alimony or support payments are protected. Your credit may not be directly affected by your ex-spouse’s bankruptcy filing because your credit score is separate and distinct from your ex-spouse.
How do you remove bankruptcy from your credit report?
– ENZ. You don’t have to do anything to have a bankruptcy removed from your credit report. The bankruptcy and any included accounts will be deleted automatically. The discharge date is the date the bankruptcy plan is completed after being filed.
How long does bankruptcy stay on your credit report?
Accounts Included in Bankruptcy. Individual accounts included in both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy can remain on the credit report for seven years. Usually, a person declaring bankruptcy already is having serious difficulty paying their debts.
What happens when a person files for bankruptcy?
The U.S. Courts website explains that Chapter 13 bankruptcy is a repayment plan of debts over a period and that Chapter 7 bankruptcy eliminates—or discharges—most or all of the bills. Once the debtor files for bankruptcy, creditors are ordered to stop all collection activity, which is called an automatic stay.