Will my new wife be responsible for any of my pre-marital debt?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Will my new wife be responsible for any of my pre-marital debt?

We have been married for only 6 months. Taxes (state and federal), home owners association fees and school loans.

Asked on April 9, 2011 under Bankruptcy Law, New York

Answers:

S.J.H., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 13 years ago | Contributor

Your wife will not be responsible for any of these debts on her own as long as her name is not on them.  They cannot go after her for payment of these debts. However, if these debts become judgments against you and you have joint bank accounts with your wife, these accounts can be frozen by the creditors and possibly garnished. Also if you file joint returns, and you owe the IRs or State money, they will take your return. You may want to have separate bank accounts until these issues are resolved. Also, if you should pass away these debts would become debts of the estate and if your wife inherit these debts on behalf of the estate.  


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption