Partner come clean about credit card debt, I'm a novice.

enthusiasticsaver

What makes you certain she won't build debt back up again if you transfer it into your name? There is also the issue in the case of relationship breakdown you are left responsible for the debts.  We have seen this many times on here. 

Ideally she would come on here herself and post an soa which is essentially a budget.  If she can get a BT 0% card that will help and focusing on the overdraft first is sensible. 

Debt_Smashing

I feel for you. Been in this situation myself. In fact we still are.
As other have said I'd be careful moving the debt into your name. Even though I have done it myself.
If the overspending behaviour doesn't change, you could will be in the same situation in 5 years time. And by that time, it could be that the guilt of getting into even more debt again might mean they don't open up and tell you, untill the debt it to a level is even more where they are having to borrow to just repay it.
The good news is they have told you. And you clearly have a plan, I would probably suggest you just use that plan as a template, and ask them to write up the new one so they have ownership of it, and dont feel.like it's your idea and being forced onto them, and just go thru the motions with you.
Also, it seems you are able to afford the repayments. There are a lot of positives and you are taking the right steps. 
I wish you luck

fatbelly

If you can get all or most of the credit card debt on to a Virgin card at 0% then in the short term that should free up some cash to tackle the other debts with. During the promotional period Virgin has a min payment of 1%

The overdraft will likely have an effective apr of 40% so use as many of the tactics in the following as you can in order to kill it off

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/cut-overdraft-costs/

Exodi

As others have said, it is fundamental you address the root cause as well as the debt.

If she doesn't identify the issue (what is the overspending on and why) and resolve it, you will inevitably find yourself back on this forum like all others before you that have magic'd away someone else's debt. It is unfortunately common for people who move their debt onto 0% deals to feel more relaxed and nonchalant about their debt levels, eventually using it to rationalise further spending.

Even if putting it in your name might make the most £ sense in the here and now, I feel like it is more beneficial for both of you to keep the debt in her name (but still support her efforts to pay it). The months/years of scrimping serves a good lesson that borrowing has consequences.

LoulaBelle

At the mention of children, they grow a lot so will always be needing new clothes and shoes etc, I'd suggest get your partner to go through the kids clothes and get some up for sale on Ebay/Vinted etc and what she money she makes with that to put towards this years clothing.  I used to go at 5am to the Next sale to get my 2 their clothes so it was half price and then I sold on the following year - Spring and Autumn are great times to sell clothes.  People don't have a lot of money at the moment so would be pleased to buy bundles.

enthusiasticsaver

Skylarker1 said:

Honestly, she has no clue about how to get out of it, which is why I think I have taken the response to it I have. I wanted to show her it is always salvageable as long as you don't bury your head and try give her a plan out of it. However, it makes sense what you have all said about letting her take control of it.

I have helped her budget and get her finances down into a spreadsheet. Other than changing mobile phone contracts which should save roughly £30 a month there isn't much else she can do with two children and already cutting back to the minimum on everything. Paying the loan, credit card and catalogue off is takin up exactly half of her monthly income.

I am worried if I don't help we might never be able to set ourselves up together, buying a house and settling for our kids. I am going to take a step back based on your feedback and just encourage, so thank you.

Are the children yours too?  Are you paying your fair share of the household costs like childrens clothes, childcare costs and covering your share of the bills according to income?  Do you both earn the same?  If she is shouldering the same bills as you on less income then it would make sense to make the split different.  Did the debt build up because of reduced income while she was on maternity leave?  We are saying that people should own their debt and bailing them out is doing them no favours but a caveat to that is if your partner has built up debt due to an unfair distribution of bills to income.  How do you organise finances assuming you live together?