How Does Marriage Affect Bankruptcy/Credit?

Benowulf

Hi,
I'm over a year into my bankruptcy and am fully discharged.  I'm earning more now and doing fairly well and working towards a possible down payment on a house.  However, I'm also in a position to potentially get married soon.  My question is essentially this: if I get married to someone who does not have a bankruptcy on file does that end up showing a bankruptcy on our credit if we apply for a loan as a couple?  Honestly, since I've never been married I don't even know how that works, whether we get credit checked as a unit or if we just each individually get credit checked.  In any case, I earn significantly more than my wife-to-be so we couldn't just have her apply for the loan as an individual to avoid the bankruptcy because her income wouldn't be enough.  So, does anyone know what happens when two people get married and one has a bankruptcy on record?

Bonus question: if, as an individual, I apply for a first time home buyer loan with a bankruptcy on my record, but with still good credit aside from the bankruptcy and with someone who has assets who is willing to co-sign...will a solid co-signer be enough to get a decent loan?  Pretend I have a 15% down payment. 

Thanks for any advice.

takanodia

Good questions

im looking forward to hearing answers

sourcrates

If once married, you share any financial product, both your files will be linked yes, so your bankrupcy will affect your wifes credit file and vice versa if it were her.

As for the bonus question, you`d have to apply and see as no one can answer that for sure.

takanodia

My wife and I have separate bank accounts but we are both on the tenancy agreement and have outstanding arreas

all my debts are in my sole name,

but utilities and council tax I think are kind of in joint names and these will be included in my personal bankru

luvchocolate

takanodia said:

My wife and I have separate bank accounts but we are both on the tenancy agreement and have outstanding arreas

all my debts are in my sole name,

but utilities and council tax I think are kind of in joint names and these will be included in my personal bankru

If you have any questions you'd be better starting your own thread. Or else it gets confusing. 
If you are going BR alone any joint accounts with your wife..she will be chased for them