How is credit/bankrupcy affected when you are separted and your spouse opens new credit cards, etc?

Question

My husband and I are separated, waiting for divorce to go through. He has since opened a credit card in his name, can that affect my credit? Also he's now saying that he need 4 years of our tax return for something? Any idea??? He won't tell me....any idea? He said he's filling out paper work and "it" is asking for 4 years. Typically to buy a house or something it only requires 2 years...HELP!!!

Answer 1

I suggest that you keep a real close eye on your credit reports.  You can contact all three credit bureaus to not approve any credit without first contact and obtain your approval.  

With the tax returns, if you'd filed jointly either you give him a copy or he can request from IRS.

Best wishes.

Answer 2

Are you legally seperated by documents, or did you jut split?  If there is something documenting the seperation, then he would be responsible for the credit cards and anything else he did after the date of seperation.  Everything will be spelled out in the divorce decree that states who is responsible for what, so you need to let your attorney know about the new credit cards so he can add it to the paperwork.  It can only affect your credit of he used your name as a joint account holder.  You would have to give him copies of the tax returns if they are joint taxes.  Maybe he is giving them to his attorney to establish some sort of alimony, child support, etc...  The best thing for you to do is run all of this by your divorce attorney.