Advise on adverse credit during divorce

Britny

Hi All

I am currently in the middle of a divorce. My husband ran up debt without making me aware (I was suffering badly due to depression).
I left him and Scotland in November 2017.
Until house is sold we still have a mortgage together. He is undergoing debt management with stepchange.
There also appears to still be out old Bank is Scotland joint account with my name on. When he started debt management we were advised to move the joint account elsewhere.
I can’t get my name off the account as there is still £350 overdraft unpaid. Basically for last few years of our relationship everything was paid by his salary so nothing from my account went in or out the joint accounts.
This account is badly affecting my credit score.
He is very non communicative when I question about this account.
How do I go about stopping this account causing me problems.
At present my own bank has removed my overdraft I have had for 25 years due to it. I am also unable to rent a flat etc because of my credit. Therefore am living in a box room on unsuitable situation at present.
After 14 years of misery living in Scotland I am unable to get my life sorted till I am finished with divorce etc.
How do I improve my credit while tied to him. I’m

[Deleted User]

Clear the debt, close the account and then file a notice of disassociation.

elsien

You need to get your partner to agree to close it - BoS is one of the bank's that need both signatures to do this. And to close it, someone will need to pay off the overdraft.
It seems unusual for one small overdraft to cause so many issues. Have you checked all three credit files (Experian etc) to see what is showing up on them. Are you sure the problems aren't due to overall affordability rather than specifically to this account?

Britny

Yes have checked my file. That account is listed as in default. Also I am still linked to the ex due to the mortgage.
Unfortunately I don’t have the money to clear the account.

HampshireH

Without wishing to sound rude. If you are unable to afford £350 (rather than being stubborn because you deem it his debt) you arent in a position to rent a flat regardless of your credit file.

Do you have any family you could ask to assist you, given the circumstances?

Who is paying the mortgage and is the house up for sale bearing in mind it's over a year since you left?

elsien

I'd have thought it's more likely to be the mortgage than the overdraft affecting your credit worthiness because it affects your affordability.

Britny

The house is up for sale although in 4 months only 1 viewer. My solicitor has written to say the price needs to be dropped. He is currently paying the mortgage as up until recently he was refusing to sell the house.

Britny

Yes I checked all 3 credit agencies.

Everything else is fine. This joint account is showing as in default and was highlighted on the credit files.

Also due to mortgage and this account I am still classed as financially tied to husband. He is currently going through debt management with stepchange so his credit problems are also bringing my score down. I can not apply to financially disassociate myself from him until house is sold so that my name is not on mortgage and joint account with him.
He has agreed in the divorce settlement to accept all of the debt.
I am going to presume though that the defaults on the joint account will stay on my credit file for 6 years?
Basically I am wanting to know how to improve my credit standing whilst I am trying to rebuild my life so that I can be able to rent somewhere rather than the uncomfortable arrangement I have at present.

[Deleted User]

Ignore your score as it’s not a real number.

Yes the default will remain for 6 years but will have less of an affect over time.