Is spouse responsible for credit card debt after divorce?
Daniel Santos
Updated on February 18, 2026
When you get a divorce, you are still responsible for any debt in your name. Credit card debt that is solely in your name. Joint credit card debt that is both in your name and your spouse’s. Credit card debt from an account that you cosigned for your spouse, even if it’s not owned jointly.
Do you have to pay your spouse’s credit card debt?
In most cases you will not be responsible to pay off your deceased spouse’s debts. As a general rule, no one else is obligated to pay the debt of a person who has died. If there is a joint account holder on a credit card, the joint account holder owes the debt.
Who is responsible for my husband’s credit card debt?
If you are a joint account holder on your husband’s credit cards, you will likely be responsible for the debts on those credit cards. As a joint account holder, you share full responsibility for the debt under the terms of the contract, even if you didn’t make the charges.
How are credit cards split in a divorce?
In a divorce, that means the spouses evenly split the profits and debts of their marriage. This means the credit bills your wife rang up before you were married is hers alone, but the new credit debt she’s incurring belongs to the both of you. This also means: You’re equally responsible for her debts if she declares…
Who is responsible for credit card debt after death?
In the case of credit card debt – which is classed as individual debt – any surviving spouse, civil partner or relative will not be required to pay it from their own pockets. Even if you were an ‘additional cardholder’ on the account, you will not be responsible for the debt. However, there are a couple of scenarios to be aware of.
What happens if I fail to pay my spouses credit card debt?
But if you fail to pay the debt and the credit card company comes after your ex-spouse, then your ex-spouse can sue you for violating the divorce decree and seek reimbursement for any damages suffered. Need professional help? Start here. Please select…
