Legal question about joint card holder

gibbo_2

I have an additional card on my husbands credit card account. We have just separated and I just wondered if anyone knew if I am now responsible for jointly paying his credit card bill? ??? Or is this up to him?

Unbelievable_2

Your husband is legally responsible - although he can remove you as an additional card holder if he wants to.

gibbo_2

Thanks for that, it's a relief as I was quite worried how I was going to pay as I've been left with two small children and no money!

Margaret_Millne

Well if you still have the card be a really cheeky little saver and go out and spend as much as you can on it before he takes it off you.

gibbo_2

Not bad thinking! The kids and I deserve a holiday!!!!

Lopo

So instead of being Cheeky little saver, you would become Thieving little spender...

Seriously...is it worth further aggravation !?

Margaret_Millne

Lopo, I think cheeky little saver took my remark the tongue in cheek way it was intended! However, if she has been left with 2 small children, and no money, they have to eat.

gibbo_2

So instead of being Cheeky little saver, you would become Thieving little spender...

Seriously...is it worth further aggravation !?

I wouldn't have put it quite as strongly as thieving.
He wont give me any money to buy the kids winter clothes or food and wouldn't it be his duty to cancel the card?
At the moment I really don't have a lot of options,until the CSA catch up with him and I'm not sure how long that will take.

Margaret_Millne

As far as I can see he has obligations to his children - if you still have the card make sure he hasn't told the CC company to cancel it - you don't want the embarrasment of being refused in a shop. If he hasn't cancelled it, then if it was me I would not feel guilty about using it.

Lopo

Something is only funny if it has an element of truth - agreed !?

With that in mind, I was poking at the same fun with the go spend it concept too hence the >> in my original post.

I dont know who is right or wrong in the situation which I do have complete sympathy for nor am I seeking any justification or clarification on it. Its the consequences after of perhaps being dragged through the courts should he choose to recover what is spent (bread/eggs/car/holiday!?!!!)...I dont know the finer details of how you split and dont think it is needed in any open discussion for anyones benefit either not too mention its completely off the original topic and since you now have the answer to your original question...

My original comment was to sensibly highlight simply if its worth the stress long term given your current and future situation. The voice on your other shoulder with serious undertones if you like...!

My heart encourages you to go spend it, heck even empty a cash machine with it! ,...brain says dont.

Original comment was both funny and as intended hits hard on the truth. Its all about perspective. Trying to remain neutral as possible here!

(...wonder if I shall be now flamed!!)

I do wish you well Cheeky little saver and may your lottery numbers come up!

Debt_Free_Chick

Not bad thinking! The kids and I deserve a holiday!!!!

Seeing friends go through this situation, I can understand the temptation Cheeky.

However, once you come to sort out the finances, my friends have found that the solicitors count debts run up during the marriage as "joint" and those run up after the splt as apportioned. So you may find that you end up "paying" for any debt you run up on the card after the date of separation. There's no hard & fast rules for this - it's down to the negotiations you have over finances.

Even if this isn't counted as "your" debt, it will still increase the pool of debt in the joint finances. All I'm trying to say is that it's unlikely that he will be the only one affected here.

This is meant to be a "practical" observation on your predicament rather than a "moral" one. Hope its helpful.

Regards