Finance

Am I Responsible for My New Husband’s Secret $200K Debt?

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Pricey Penny,

I’m 59 and was not too long ago married. I simply discovered he’s in debt for over $200,000. As of proper now, all of our monetary stuff is separate. If he passes away, am I liable for his debt despite the fact that it was acquired earlier than our marriage? Additionally, are we higher off submitting our taxes individually?

-M.

Pricey M.,

Getting married with out telling your partner you may have $200,000 of debt is a big breach of belief. I implore you to think twice about whether or not you need to keep married to somebody who would preserve debt of this magnitude secret from you. However extra on that shortly.

Typically talking, you’re not liable for money owed your partner incurred earlier than you married. This is applicable no matter whether or not you reside in a standard regulation state, the place it’s simpler for married {couples} to maintain property and liabilities separate. It additionally applies if you happen to dwell in a group property state, the place any property or money owed acquired throughout the marriage are assumed to be collectively owned. As a result of your husband introduced this debt into the wedding, you shouldn’t be on the hook for paying it, even when he died.


I can’t inform you whether or not you’d be higher off submitting individually, given the substantial penalties concerned. Solely a tax adviser can inform you that. What I can inform you is that even when your husband owes the IRS, you wouldn’t be liable since he racked up that debt earlier than you married. In case you filed a joint return and had your refund intercepted, you possibly can apply for injured partner standing. Then you possibly can acquire your half of the refund.

Now again to the elephant within the room, which is the truth that your new husband didn’t inform you concerning the $200,000 he owes. I’ve so many questions. Have you learnt how he acquired the debt? Is he present on funds? Did he inform you about his debt, or did you uncover it by yourself?

There are lots of causes somebody may purchase large debt. Clearly, if it’s the results of a serious sickness, that’s loads completely different than, say, if he went into debt from playing or persistent overspending. However even when it’s the product of pure unhealthy luck, that’s no excuse for hiding debt out of your partner.

My greatest concern isn’t a lot concerning the cash your husband already owes. I fear about any future debt he may incur. In case you dwell in a group property state, you possibly can be answerable for any debt your husband acquires when you’re married.

The truth that he saved such an enormous secret makes me query his trustworthiness. Within the worst-case state of affairs, he may take out fraudulent debt in your title. That’s a reliable concern, given {that a} partner sometimes has all the knowledge they should steal your identification.

Irrespective of how a lot you retain your funds separate, your husband’s debt impacts you. Beneath the most effective of circumstances, I’m afraid that you simply’ll be left shouldering a lot of the bills whereas your husband tries to pay down this debt. Possibly this marriage is price it to you. However that’s one thing he ought to have made you conscious of earlier than you exchanged vows.

Assuming this isn’t a dealbreaker, you have to convey every thing about your funds into the open. You must each assessment every of your three credit score studies. Be sure you perceive each debt that’s listed. There aren’t any dumb questions while you’ve simply found your partner has six figures of debt. Be vigilant about monitoring your credit score studies, as properly.

It’s additionally important that you simply make a funds and often assessment how a lot you’re spending and incomes. Usually, I’d counsel doing this on a month-to-month foundation. However given the quantity of debt concerned, this must be a weekly prevalence.

If cash mismanagement is on the coronary heart of your husband’s debt, possibly he may agree to show over his paycheck to you and help you pay the payments. This might be a brief answer. But when he has a historical past of reckless spending, it might assist if he has much less room to fail.

No matter the way you proceed, by no means must you mix funds. Don’t make your husband a certified person in your accounts. Don’t co-sign for him. Don’t open any joint accounts collectively.

That is about far more than $200,000 of debt. Your husband saved an unlimited secret from you. Belief isn’t given. It’s earned. Proper now, your husband has a protracted street forward.

Robin Hartill is an authorized monetary planner and a senior author at The BaghdadTime. She writes the Pricey Penny private finance recommendation column. Ship your tough cash inquiries to [email protected] or chat along with her in The BaghdadTime Neighborhood.


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