Wife's money loans

Klaudiaa

"acting on behalf" 
Hi Everyone, 
I have a massive problem atm because I think my wife is cheating on me. Also she put both of us in debts.
Long story short is that I have been taken away by the police because she rang them saying I am aggressive towards her because I took her phone and said this is going to be a proof of you cheating on me but finally she got it back.
The reason of explanation above is just to let you know the whole situation.

About 6 months ago I found out she has about 6 credit cards. All of them are near to limit. I have never knew about them. There is only her name in card. Now she is saying we both have to pay it back. I didn't know about anything until I have started questioning her and found out she is cheating on me. 
My question is: WILL I have to pay her debt back as I was not aware of this? 
What I can I do. 
Please help me

fatbelly

Credit cards are always in one name only. And that person has sole liability

In the absence of a court order that's the way it stays

Voyager2002

Her debt is her sole responsibility. Don't sign anything to guarantee loans; if you are asked to sign anything then read it very carefully first.

Taking someone's 'phone puts you in the wrong in the eyes of the law, and anyway it is not against the law to have an affair. Decide if you want to continue being married to this person, and if not, see a solicitor.

Bradden

fatbelly said:

Credit cards are always in one name only. And that person has sole liability

Surely as a married couple all assets and debts are combined in the financial separation process?

NoodleDoodleMan

In legal terms, your wife's infidelity is totally irrelevant to the money problems.

As above, do not sign any documentation to guarantee any financial agreement binding you to it.

There is no such thing as a joint credit card account - you could only be involved as an additional card holder, which clearly doesn't apply here - and even if you were, the principal card holder is responsible for all debts incurred on the accounts.

As for what action to take - consult a divorce lawyer soonest.

fatbelly

Not necessarily. That's why divorce proceedings (which the op has not mentioned) can be long and expensive.

I have added a rider to my earlier quote to cover this

NoodleDoodleMan

A divorce lawyer can recommend a best case scenario - the OP need not follow such advice of course.

Olinda99

You are not responsible for your wife's credit card debts.

DullGreyGuy

Olinda99 said:

You are not responsible for your wife's credit card debts.

But the starting position of any divorce is a 50/50 split and so whilst she is soly liable to repay them unless you have a lawyer that manages to argue otherwise assets will be given to her in the split to offset 50% of the debts. 

Clearly things have broken down significantly if it's gotten to the point of arrests being made. Hidden debt is not always a sign of infidelity, it really depends who "looks after the money", what the financial arrangements were etc etc. When my father died we discovered he had a mass of debts but there was no accusation or evidence of infidelity... my mother is a demanding woman and he did all the money stuff, when his business wasnt doing so great he got credit to make up the shortfall so she could always have her diamond based b/day present or her 5* holiday. It was only when he got too ill to work full time and the credit lines dried up that we started borrowing a friends caravan rather than staying in posh hotels etc. 

Have you as a couple been living beyond your means? Too much stuff bought? Too many meals out that she paid for?

As the debts are credit cards, they will be in her name alone and so no bank is going to be chasing you for them. Assuming this is the end of the relationship it will come down to negotiation or a court order on how the assets are split and the debts will be part of that consideration.