About Equality in Marriage Institute Expertise As a non profit organization commited to assisting and supporting men and women through their divorce transition, we will answer any questions -from how to get yourself on your feet after being served with divorce papers, questions to ask your lawyer, how to appeal or modify your judgement and the different ways to end your marriage to how to empower and care for yourself, the benefits of joining a support group and how to manage your divorce process. Please note that we are not lawyers, financial advisors or therapists. The information given is intended to provide you with direction towards resources, websites, and answers that can help you through your transition.
Experience We have experience answering hundreds of questions from both men and women who are going through the divorce process.
Expert: Equality in Marriage Institute - 11/3/2005
Question -------------------------
Thank you for your response but she knew full well when she was racking up bills what she was doing and that she would "try" and leave me hanging with the bills because they are in my name. So I know for certain that she will not allow these bills to be transferred to her name and the divorce I'm sure will be contested in her squirning to get out of responsibility.
Brian
Followup To
Question -
I am in need of getting a divorce so that many many financial issues can be cleared up as to who is responsible for what. But my wife (soon to be ex-wife) got us in such finanancial ruin before moving away to an apartment neither one of us have the money to hire a lawyer and especially to hire one for a contested divorce. My house is 3 payments behind, my truck is two payments behind and I have 8700 on credit card she racked up and a cell phone bill for over 1000.00 that she again racked up. And all of this is in my name but I can't get out from under some of these payments without a divorce but all my money is going towards trying to make other payments that are currently more important. Is there any kind of assistance I can look for in help to get a divorce and have her pay for what is her bills although they are in my name. I was taken for a ride by what seems now to be a professional at this sort of thing.
Please help me. The stress at times is more than I can take to not only have a broken heart but a broken wallet as well.
I live in Georgia for what it's worth if specific laws apply to me.
Thank you,
Brian
Answer -
Dear Brian,
You do not need to divorce in order to have your finanical responsiblities cleared up. You can do this thru having your wife place her name and not yours on the bills she's incurred. I don't know your marital situation to know if this is possible but I thought I would mention it. If both of you are interested in working this out then let me know and I will list other resources for you in this area.
Because you mentioned divorce I will give you info on that. Yes, divorce laws differ from state to state so here are some Georgia resources:
If you are able to work out your assets and debts in what is called an uncontested divorce then you will not have to pay a lawyer, only the filing fee. If you need help working out the details of your marriage then you can hire a mediator (least expensive form of help when it comes to divorce).
Visit equalityinmarriage.org and divorcesource.com for additional help.
Answer Dear Brian,
As you noted she new full well she was racking up the bills- with this being said you may want to go back in your day planner or what ever you may use - calender and note when this happened. List everything she bought that may appear to be "out of the ordinary" and end up in front of a judge or mediator she has little ground to stand on. I would reccomend that you close those credit card accounts and/ or remove her name from them (if you haven't already). Often you can transfer your balance to a lower interest credit card for a period of time. Credit card interest is so high it's worth looking into lower interest rates. You also may want to keep all of the past two years credit card statements - it will be easier to prove the "determined- racking up of charges" when one can see a history of charges. You may also want to obtain a copy of your credit card report as it stands now so you know what you are facing. Additionally you may want to look into lower interest loans to pay off a chunk of the credit card debt- it will save you $$$. I hope these suggestions are helpful.
