If I file for bankruptcy will my wife's credit score be affected? 20 Answers as of January 13, 2012

No and they will likely go after her. If you are in a community property state, you have a marital community bankruptcy argument.

If your spouse is not filing and you are filing an individual petition that the bankruptcy filing will not negatively affect your spouses credit. However, if you have a joint debt, your obligation to that debt can be eliminated but your spouse will remain responsible for that debt. If your spouse is not filing then her debt only in her name does not become part of the bankruptcy proceeding and her debts are not eliminated. If you want her debts eliminated also then you may want to consider a joint filing.

Her credit is not affected. But she will continue to be required to pay her debts and any joint debts.

Your wife's credit should not be affected so long as her name is not associated with any of the debts. Her debts will not be discharged if she does not file the bankruptcy with you.

Bankruptcy can be filed individually or jointly with a spouse. If filed individually, your spouse is not directly affected. Her debts remain her own - although if you had joint debts she would be solely responsible for them going forward. If a joint bankruptcy case is filed all debts will be discharged as to both debtors.

All debts owed by the filing spouse should be listed. This includes the spouse's debts that are owed by the community. The non-filing spouse is not affected by the bankruptcy and the debts are still owed by the non-filer.

Her credit is not affected if you do not share the debt. Her debt remains unless she files her own bankruptcy.

Wisconsin is a community property state. That means, among other things, that debts incurred during the marriage are generally the responsibility of both spouses. In fact, when you open a credit card in Wisconsin, your spouse is supposed to sign off on it. So your wife could be affected by a bankruptcy. If your debts arose before marriage or in a non-community property state, she will only be affected if she co-signed or is a joint owner of the accounts. Your wife's separate debts or co-debts with you will not be eliminated in a bankruptcy if she does not file. The answer to your question depends largely on date of marriage, where you live, how long you have been there, the nature of the debts, who signed for them and other factors. To get a decisive answer here, you should speak with an attorney.

Your bankruptcy has nothing to do with your wife's credit. If she does not file bankruptcy her debts are not discharged.

If you file separately, your wife should not be affected and can dispute any negative marks if she does not file. The only debts of hers that would be included are ones you hold jointly, but she would still be liable for the accounts and they must be paid by her unless she chooses to file along with you. Only the person who files can have their liability on debts wiped off.