debt transfer

almostaslaphead

Hi,
Just spent time looking and not finding info on this question: can I transfer my partners debt (no longer working, studying) onto a credit card registered to me? Debt is about 5k, and am thinking of a long term 0% interest as cannot pay any off at the moment. Good thing to do or not? All replies gratefully received...
newbie dave

[Deleted User]

In most cases you can.

Whether it's a good idea depends on the two of you. Certainly a good idea for you partner.

Maybe not so much for you.

Candyapple

Some credit cards will allow you to do this, most won't as they require balance transfers to be in your name only.

Also, don't forget that if you did do this, the debt is no longer your partner's but solely yours.

Whilst you may have good intentions, it has often come back to bite people in the backside years down the line once they have split up with their partner and they refuse to pay, despite thinking that their partner would never do anything like that to them. Have a read of this thread below, although it's to do with loans lent to family/friends which went unpaid, it's along the same vein.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/76953

So the question you need to ask yourself is, would you be happy to shoulder an extra £5k should things turn sour between you and your partner? If the answer is no, work with your partner to find ways that he can pay off his debts, whether that be to get a part-time job alongside his studies, or to sell things he no longer needs. The onus shouldn't be on you, his partner, to step in and take the responsibility off his shoulders.

almostaslaphead

Thanks for the above replies, will take some time to ponder, esp over the link!
Cheers