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Discussion » Questions » Legal » Why can creditors hold a person accountable for a debt a spouse accrued, but still refuse to talk to the person about it?
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Why can creditors hold a person accountable for a debt a spouse accrued, but still refuse to talk to the person about it?

For example, if a husband opens up a line of credit and then later refuses to pay, the wife is legally responsible for it, even if she wasn't a signer on the loan. At the same time, the company can refuse to provide her with even basic information about the debt, because she isn't listed on it. O_o

Posted - December 20, 2016
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Responses


  • It's because credit is a banking scam that is meant to put people in debt to banks and government. It's just like how an unpaid traffic ticket goes on your credit even though it's a debt that you never agreed to and really has no bearing on your actual credit and trustworthyness to pay voluntary debts.

    Credit, insurance, banking.....  They're all  scams.
      December 20, 2016 10:26 AM MST
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  • 3934
    Translation: The entire modern industrial/financial economy is a scam. Let's go back to subsistence farming and barter....;-D....

    http://www.theonion.com/article/us-economy-grinds-to-halt-as-nation-realizes-money-2912

      December 20, 2016 10:31 AM MST
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  • Pretty much it is all a  scam.   Show me some shred of evidence to the contrary.
      December 20, 2016 10:39 AM MST
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  • 3934
    @Glis --

    World GDP in 1960: about $1 trillion

    World GDP in 2015: about $75 trillion

    Yep, it's all a giant scam...;-D...
       
      December 20, 2016 10:54 AM MST
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  • that proves what?   Nothing.  It's meaningless and irrelevant.
    How has the individuals buying power increased?   It hasn't.  GDP really means nothing except for the richest 1%.  Especially World GDP. 

    Now show evidence that it isn't a scam to pull wealth from the lower class citizens.  We're waiting.
      December 20, 2016 11:08 AM MST
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  • 3934
    @Glis -- Why is it my burden to prove it ISN'T all a scam instead of your burden to prove it is?

    And, yes, buying power HAS increased. I can walk down to my local 7-11, beg a few dollars in spare change off customers going in and out of it, and treat myself to a meal that would be the envy of all but royalty prior to the Industrial/Financial revolution.

    Are SOME aspects of the global economic system scams? Absolutely.

    Is it true that global economic trends are causing growing inequality in wealth/income? Undeniably.

    Are there massive cross-subsidies and unsustainable consumption of resources built into the system? Very true.

    But that doesn't obviate the real wealth created by the modern economy and enjoyed by billions of people around the world. This post was edited by OldSchoolTheSKOSlives at December 20, 2016 11:20 AM MST
      December 20, 2016 11:20 AM MST
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  • The buying power of the average American has been in steady decline for decades due to this wonderful system of yours.

    Please explain to me why you aren't a hardcore capitalist Republican if you think this system is sop divine and righteous?

    Debt is good and debt is progress, eh?


    I'm not asking you prove a negative.  I'm asking for evidence that these institutions are to our actual benefit. This post was edited by Benedict Arnold at December 20, 2016 11:41 AM MST
      December 20, 2016 11:26 AM MST
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  • 46117
    You need a good lawyer.  They have clout.  You don't.  Sorry, but that is the real world.  Get a lawyer. 


    http://www.arizonacreditcardlawsuit.com/?gclid=CIr0tuWlg9ECFUpNfgodsUMIYg This post was edited by WM BARR . =ABSOLUTE TRASH at December 20, 2016 1:46 PM MST
      December 20, 2016 10:27 AM MST
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  • 7939
    Yes, but lawyers are expensive and all a lawyer can do is compel the creditor to provide you with info on the debt. You're still on the hook for it.
      December 20, 2016 1:47 PM MST
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  • 3934
    Hey, it could be worse...;-D...

      December 20, 2016 11:11 AM MST
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  • I am no expert but I am sure I read somewhere that yes the wife can be held responsible if they were married at the time, even if she didn't know about the loans/credit.. She can't be held responsible if they were divorced when it happened.. I have also come across the refusal to share details but they would have to understand that unless they can give details and proof you should not be liable ... you would need to know amounts, when etc... as for all you know it was after you were divorced which makes you not liable... 

    Legal advice necessary I think.  
      December 20, 2016 1:16 PM MST
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  • From what you say, and with a bit of checking, I assume you're in Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington or Wisconsin.  These 'community property' states use the underlying principle that debts accrued during the time of the marriage are owed by both parties, though they are variations in how the law is applied.


    http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/debt-marriage-owe-spouse-debts-29572.html


    As far as not talking about it, I would think the justification for this is the 'personal information' aspect.  Of course it's a nonsense, as nobody should be required to discharge a debt without communication.  But I'm afraid bureaucracy thinks and works like this sometimes. 
      December 20, 2016 2:02 PM MST
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  • 7939
    Yes. I'm in Arizona and I dealt with it for my mom's Wisconsin stuff too. 
      December 20, 2016 2:38 PM MST
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  • Damn good for nothing bureaucrats.
      December 20, 2016 2:40 PM MST
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  • Unfortunately a necessary evil I think.  But sometimes they can give the impression their only purpose is to drive us all mad.
      December 20, 2016 6:45 PM MST
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  • 17620

    Because you live in a community property state both spouses are responsible for debt incurred during the marriage but not prior to or after.  The same for  assets.  Even if you lived in a common law state (marital property state) your jointly owned and marital property would be subject to satisfying debts of either spouse.   I hope you are asking for someone else. This explains it pretty well:

    https://www.hg.org/article.asp?id=31801

    This post was edited by Thriftymaid at December 20, 2016 9:23 PM MST
      December 20, 2016 9:22 PM MST
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