hoping someone can help

littlesue

i do hope so. My friend has just told me her husband has left her for someone else( me thinks not true) but thats not her only problem he leaves her with a six month old baby and a moutain of debt. Some of the debt she knew about but yesterday she got a nasty shock when she opened a letter and it was a demand for £40,000 she knew nothing about! since then she hunted the house and found letters hidden and he had 3 more credit cards, on top of that the landlord has said she's 3 months behind on the rent and he's now demanding money. She says her parents said they can help her out with the rent but she hasn't told them about the other things because she's too ashamed. I want to help her with advise but i dont know where to start i'm new to this too. Is she responseable for debts in his name?. She doesn't know where he is his phone is switched off. He texted her 2 days ago and said he was sorry but thats it. can someone help me advise? she doesn't know where to turn.

~Beanie~

If the debts are in his sole name then no, she isn't responsible. If they are in joint names then unfortunately she is.

Tixy

Hi

She won't be responsible for any credit debts that are in his sole name at all.
Do they have any joint debts at all? or a joint bank account? If so she needs to close them if possible and then to file a notice of disassociation with each of the 3 credit agencies (so that his credit rating cannot affect hers going forward).

With regards to the rent then do you know if its a joint tenancy or whose name is on the tenancy agreement?

If she feels this is likely to be a permanent situation then suggest that any letters/statements that come through about his debts are marked not at this address and return to sender and thrown back in the post.

She might want to get some help and advice from CAB who can help her with things like claiming tax credits and claiming child support from him.

She'll need to inform the council that she is now living alone and claim the 25% discount on council tax for single people.

I'm sure some more people will post more advice soon.

Hannah_10

Get her to join here, then we can talk to her directly. Tixy's advice is good.

littlesue

i did try telling her hannah but its been such a shock for her i think its just a lot to take in. He's more or less cleared the account so i told her to get her self a new one in her name, will she be able to claim benefits? i would of thought so but not she what. thanks everyone for been so helpful. She's staying at her parents this weekend but i'm hoping to see her tomorrow and give her some more info.

harmony13

Hi little sue, I would suggest that the citizens advice would be the first place to try, although it can take a few days to get an appointment. My ex husband left me leaving huge debts that I knew nothing about, so I can empathise with your friend, unless she has counter-signed the contract/agreements she shouldn't have too much to worry about. If your friend has worries about the rent or keeping a roof over her head, first contact the council to let them know that she may be thrown out and thereby need a house, she will be advised that the landlord will have to go to court to actually get her out and she will be given some time to find another place. She should then contact 'Shelter' who will help negotiate with the court and the landlord to see if there is another way round this, such as an agreement to repay the debt if she wants to stay there. As for other debt such as for utilities If they were seperate from the rent, they will always make an agreement to repay as with a young baby they can't cut you off. Also, if she explains the situation, they have grants to help with utility debt which they can advise her about. As for other debts such as loan agreements, credit cards, etc. it is up to the respective companies to send someone after him NOT HER, so tell her not to worry... they will try to get the money from her just because it's easier, but if they try too hard and it becomes a hassle to tell them no, threaten them with a lawyer and a charge of harrassment... it worked for me. If she finds he left because of the debts and not for someone else, she should tell him to go bankrupt, as long as you don't own a house it's so much easier these days and no longer has the same stigma as it had... Hope this helps, good luck to you both and don't worry!

littlesue

thanks harmony its great advice and i can go to her with better news.you always think that when your in this situation( in debt) that its only you but there are people worse off than yourself and how lucky you are really. I really dont think theres any one else but he's in such a mess he's just run away. She doesn't know what he's spent the money on. He has been working but apparently he's been on holiday so one of his friends has told her but no one has seen him so he's hiding somewhere.