[jimalo]

A couple has a credit card with $500 outstanding debt at the time of divorce. The judge decrees the wife pay down the debt and remove the husbands name from the credit card. The wife remarries, does not pay down the debt, incurs significantly more debt over the next 10 years and never removes the ex-husband's name from the card. What portion if any of the debt is the ex-husband responsible for?

[ScottGem]

Legally the whole balance. But practically, the balance at the time of the divorce plus interest.

The credit card company does not have to honor the judge's decree. So, since the card is still in his name, he's responsible. However, if he can show that he has not used the card since the divorce he MAY be able to get out of the whole balance.

[jimalo]

Appreciate the quick reply Scott but dang, not what I wanted to hear. Presumably the ex-husband would then have to sue the ex-wife for any payment/garnishment he incurred due to the wife not honoring the divorce decree. Won't help much if the ex-wife declares bankruptcy. :( Guess the safest route is separate cards...