Ending a marriage can affect many different aspects of a person’s life. From where he or she lives to receiving or paying support, life after divorce can certainly look different. One area that many divorcees would like to stay the same has to do with finances: their credit score. When it comes to protecting a credit score, it is best to be proactive.
Even though each partner in a marriage maintains his or her own credit score, a soon-to-be ex-spouse could still negatively affect the other’s score. This is usually because of his or her actions when it comes to joint financial accounts and debts, such as reckless or irresponsible spending.
Depending on how long a couple has been married, it may be hard to remember just how many joint accounts there are. In this situation, an individual can pull his or her credit report from the three different credit bureaus. This will show all financial accounts linked to his or her name, including which ones are joint. It is also a good idea to double check separate accounts to see whether a spouse is listed as an authorized user.
Financial security is important, especially during and after divorce when there may be many uncertainties. Part of that security is maintaining a good credit score, which makes it easier to access lines of credit and even better interest rates. But remembering to double check every tiny detail can be hard during an already difficult time, so it could be helpful to seek out guidance from an attorney who is experienced with Alabama family law.