Is it better to declare bankruptcy before or after divorce/separation?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Is it better to declare bankruptcy before or after divorce/separation?
My wife and I will be divorcing. She cannot afford to live on her own unless she files for bankruptcy to eliminate the credit cards in her name. Therefore we have not taken any action as far as a legal separation yet and are still living together. Although I have some debt I will not be filing. We both own the house (both names on the mortgage), which I will be keeping. We each have a car, with auto loans. We share a bank account. Would it make a difference if she files before or after the divorce is finalized? I am concerned about my own credit, funds and property being affected by her filing.
Asked on August 20, 2011 New York
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
In order to answer your question concerning the timing of your anticipated bankruptcy filing the answer to that question (pre or post divorce) is better suited to the attorney that you are consulting with for the bankruptcy.
However, since bankruptcy gives one a fresh start financially, and since you and your wife plan on divorcing, practicalities suggest that the bankruptcy be filed before the divorce is filed. By doing such, many of the debts that would have to be allocated during the dissolution process of your marriage would be eliminated upon a bankrupcty discharge.
Also, possibly the bankruptcy may eliminate a lot of the financial stress you and your wife have where the divorce plans may not happen.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.