YOUR EX COULD RUIN MORE THAN YOUR DAY — They Could Tank Your Credit
What You Need to Know About Credit Damage During Divorce
Divorce doesn’t directly impact your credit score, but joint debts and shared accounts can. Learn how to protect your financial future with help from R23 Law’s California Consumer Protection Attorneys.
Divorce is hard enough emotionally—but it can also leave a lasting mark on your financial health, especially your credit. While most people worry about property division or child custody, few realize how vulnerable their credit can become in the process.
At R23 Law, our California Consumer Protection Attorneys have helped divorcing clients protect their credit and take control of their financial future. If you're going through or preparing for a divorce, here’s what you should know.
Does Divorce Hurt Your Credit Score?
Technically, no. Simply filing for divorce or changing your marital status doesn’t affect your credit score. But what does? Debt and shared financial responsibility.
In California—a community property state—assets and debts acquired during the marriage are typically split 50/50. That includes:
Joint credit cards
Mortgages
Auto loans
Other shared liabilities
Even if your spouse agrees to take on a specific debt, you’re still legally responsible if your name is on the account. If they miss a payment? Your credit suffers too.
How to Protect Your Credit During Divorce
Protecting your financial future starts with proactive steps:
1. Pull Your Credit Report
Review every open account. Identify which ones are joint and which are solely yours.
2. Close or Separate Joint Accounts
If you can, close joint accounts. If not, consider refinancing or legally transferring debts into one party’s name.
3. Remove Authorized Users
If your spouse is an authorized user on any of your accounts, revoke their access immediately.
4. Make a Plan for Mortgages or Large Loans
Options include:
Selling the home and dividing the proceeds
Refinancing the mortgage
Having one spouse “buy out” the other’s interest
Each scenario requires careful planning—and often, legal guidance.
Why Legal Support Matters
Divorce agreements don’t bind your creditors. Even if a judge assigns debt to your ex, the creditor can still come after you if the payment is missed. That’s why it’s essential to:
Work with experienced divorce and consumer protection lawyers
Understand your exposure to liability
Proactively remove your name from shared debt whenever possible
R23 Law Is Here to Help You Move Forward
At R23 Law, we understand that credit damage during divorce is more than a paperwork problem—it’s a financial crisis waiting to happen. Our California Consumer Protection Attorneys can help you:
Audit and separate shared accounts
Shield your credit from your spouse’s financial mistakes
Negotiate more secure debt divisions during divorce proceedings
📞 Schedule a free consultation today and let us help protect what you’ve worked so hard to build—your credit, your rights, and your future.
