Expert: Kathleen Eads - 5/3/2006

Question
Dear Sir,
Thank you for taking this time.
About 4 years ago my husband and I became seperated at his choice . He continued to send me the money towards all our bills while we decided what to do next.
This includes all the credit cards we had where I was the primary and he was the co applicant.
However on one card I did not pay it regularly despite his sending his half of the payment . This was not due to spite but simply going through a tough financial time and hard time with the new adjustments to my husbands choice to leave.
Since then we have come to better terms and are on good speaking terms again. However my actions have left derrogatory marks in his credit as well as mine and he is looking to buy a home now and my mistakes are costing him that. Is there any way I can plead to the credit department and explain my situation and take FULL responsibility for what I did? Thus leaving the derrogatory remarks on my file and clearing his ?  

Answer
I would suggest him disputing the marks on his credit with all 3 credit bureaus.  (www.experian.com, www.transunion.com, and www.equifax.com).  He could include a letter from you, indicating what happened to see if it might pursuade lenders to consider him more favorably.  You may also want to get this letter to his intended mortgage company.  

I'm not sure how bad his score is, but if it's not TOO bad, lenders will still loan him money.  If it's only one card you didn't pay (and depending on how much was owed), it may not be hurting either of you too bad.  You can get a copy of your report with any of the bureaus listed above, along with information on your credit score.  He can do the same.   You may want to do this first, as it may give you a better idea of how to resolve the old matter.

Hope you get it worked out,
Kathleen Crabtree