Just Curious Re: Community Property Debt?

[flora maestas]

What is the name of your state? nm


I just wanted some clarification on CC debt in a community property state. A little over six years ago, I received a phone call at work from AmEx. They were trying to collect past due charges on my husband's AmEx card. I told the "rude" man that my husband (to whom I had only been married a couple of months, at that time),
had this CC for years prior to me even knowing him and my only connection with this account was that he had requested a secondary card for my use. I did use this card, but it was before we were married and any of my charges had long since been paid anyway. I never signed any card use agreement nor could I even qualify for this card, my husband (boyfriend) at the time, just requested the card and they sent it to me. Anyway, this collector advised me that I was responsible because it was a community property state. (By the way, I never used the card after we got married.) I told him I was not because my husband had this account before we were married and
my name was never on the account nor did I ever sign any card use agreement. In any case, he hung up on me and never called again but I would like to know.... was I correct in what I said? If not, please elaborate and if so,
what rights did this collector have to contact me and demand payment?

[cmorris]

Did he/you use the card after you were married?

[flora maestas]

He used the card but I did not.

[cmorris]

Sorry, but since the account was used after you two were married, you would have been responsible.

[Ladynred]

Well.. not WHOLLY responsible. She would not be responsible for ANY of the PRE-MARITAL debt, but that part of the debt that was incurred AFTER the marriage WOULD be 'community' debt.