However, if you live in a community property state (California, Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, Louisiana, New Mexico, Washington, Texas or Wisconsin), your spouse and you may be responsible
for debts incurred during the marriage, and the individual debts of your spouse may appear on your credit report as well.
The good news is family members aren't responsible for any debt left behind after death, unless they've co-signed on that debt or live in a community property state where spouses are responsible
for debt incurred during the marriage.
Loved ones don't «inherit» debt, unless they've co-signed on a dotted line or live in a community property state (in which case, a spouse is on the hook
for debt incurred during the marriage).
Not exact matches
If you live in a community property state: Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin the surviving spouse is responsible
for debts incurred by the account holder
during his or her
marriage — even if the surviving spouse did not cosign.
There are some cases where both partners can become liable
for student
debt incurred during a
marriage, even if only one person's name is on the loan.
If either of the parties tends to spend far more than the other, you can describe in the prenuptial agreement how you want
debts incurred during the
marriage to be treated
for equitable distribution purposes.
If you live in a community property state, you both may be responsible
for debts incurred on individual accounts
during your
marriage.
The court may decide one spouse is responsible
for all joint
debts and liabilities of the parties
incurred during marriage.
In most community property states, both spouses are equally responsible
for the repayment of
debt incurred during the
marriage, even if only one spouse enjoyed the benefit.
Unless the creditor was specifically looking to the separate property of one spouse
for payment, all
debts incurred during marriage are marital.