Is my husband's credit card debt mine?

[wendygeez]

I live in VA, and have been married only 3 yrs. I have just discovered that my husband has been racking up a sizable debt on his credit card, debt that he thought wouldn't affect me. Now that I'm in shock, I'd like to know if in the state of VA, is his credit card debt automatically mine since we are married. Obviously in either case I'm pretty screwed.

[ecmst12]

VA is not a community property state so if your name is not on the card and the charges are not medical bills or other necessities, you should not be responsible for it. But of course, if he were to default on the debt, any assets you own jointly would be vulnerable in a lawsuit.

[JETX]

Originally Posted by wendygeez

is his credit card debt automatically mine since we are married.

Automatically?? No.
Can it effect your credit?? Yes.

Here is how:
Anytime you go to apply for a home loan, car loan, furniture, etc. ('joint' purchase), the merchant/creditor will look at BOTH of your credit histories. And his could cause a denial or increase in interest (higher risk).

Also, as correctly noted by ecmst, if a purchase on your husbands credit card is considered a JOINT 'necessity' and there is a default, the creditor could attempt to assert that charge as a 'joint' obligation.