[USER]

Impending divorce question (seems a lot of these here lately). My partner is not good with money and has charged the full credit limit to two of our cards therefore giving me a worse fico score.

These cards are in his name, I am only a secondary.

So the question is:
a) should I stay in the cards, wait for the cards to be paid off in full when we sell the house, then take my name off?
b) take my name off now before it’s paid off and before the divorce is final?

Each of these has pros and cons
Which would give me a better fico score?

[Jake]

If you’re an authorized user of his card then just take your name off.
It will no longer be reported on your credit.

So, it’ll change average age of credit history, total credit lines, and credit used.

If it’s maxed out removing your name isn’t as good as paying it off, but still very good.

If you’re getting a divorce then your name should be removed soon anyway, he can do it at any time and probably should have already.

Not removing your name risks late or non payments from this credit line getting reported to your credit. Best to remove your name before that happens.

Imo.

[Jennifer]

Take yourself off. If he decides not to pay, you will be liable. It does not matter what the divorce agreement says.

If he stops paying, it will tank your scores more.

Never do joint cards.

[Stef]

Ask your atty as there may be standing orders or other orders in your case that prohibit certain actions.

If permitted, you generally want to get your name off lines of credit to which he has access, and if not possible, close those lines of credit so he can’t incur more debt.

[Jule]

Remove your name off asap. It will immediately stop showing on your credit report that you have that liability.

[Author]

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