Verbal Contract to Pay Credit Card

While I was married to my now Ex he was having trouble getting credit. I was young at the time and was going to school full time. He and I made an agreement that if I would fill out an application in my name with him as an authorized user HE would pay the bill for this card. That is the verbal agreement. He needed this to be able to purchase tools for work. I filed for the card and was aproved. I received a limit of about $1500.00. Which was fine. That was all we needed. About two years after we were divorced I went to a car dealership to purchase a car and was declined for credit. The reason was my sears chargecard was over the limit and over 90 days past due. In the amount of $5,200.00. He managed all the money in the house. I never saw a bill or notice of any kind. He opened my mail, even after our divorce, for this and never stated any thing to me about any balance increases. I spoke to sears on the phone about this and found out they sent these increases with a no reply if I wanted the increase HE just let them increase my account to the point I am in financial trouble. When I first contacted him about this he sent me several payments to pay Sears. Then he started sending them to Sears directly. Now he is refusing to pay any of it. I got from Sears copies of all the receipts with his signature. Can a credit company increase my limit with out my permission and how do I pusue my Ex.Please help me Virginia

[Grace_Adler]

I don't know much about this stuff, can only offer a couple of suggestions. If he is put down as a user then I think he can increase it or whatever he wants to since he has access to the account. Not sure thought. There's a small chance you might be able to take him to civil court and sue. I would go to the magistrate's office and tell them your situation and ask them.
Good Luck. BTW I was born and raised in VA

[kat1963]

There wasn't anything written in your divorce about debt?

With credit card companies (most, not all, some do send a seperate letter.) there is a little thing on your statement that says "congratulations, we've increased your credit limit to 8 billion dollars". I don't think I've ever, in 20 years of having credit cards have one said me letter that actually ASKS a YES or NO question.

You will want to file papers with VA General District Court, Civil Division for claims up to $15,000 (small claims here is only up to 1,000.00). I'm not sure about where you are in VA, but here it is 18 to file, 12 to serve. Look your local court house up on line, many have the information you are seeking and the forms you can print out before you file.

Good Luck!

KAT

[TNBSMommy]

Good luck, but there is a very small chance you will get out of being the one to pay the bill. Or, like you have already discovered, have your credit ruined. If the card was in your name, you are ultimitely responsible for the payment of it. Even if you never put a dime on it. You really can't prove a verbal agreement. And he knows if he doesn't pay it you are the one who will get screwed. If you haven't already done so, you do need cancel the card immediately. You could speak to a lawyer, but more than likely you won't see another dime out of him for the payment.
I could be wrong, and if I am, someone correct me, but from what I have seen and heard, that is my understanding of it.

Once again, good luck.

[kat1963]

I think she'd have a pretty good chance of getting some money back but not what she put into the mtg. She stated she has the reciepts (though didn't say what they were for or if they have his signature on them.) I mean, he'd be hard pressed to prove that the riding lawn mower (doors, flooring ect. )wasn't for him when technically, she doesn't own a house. Of course she still has to pay the credit card company since the agreement is with them and they don't care what the agreement the two of them have....

Oh, yeah, check your credit history. There could be other things that just haven't presented themselves to you yet. TRUST ME! I"ve been trying to clean up DH's nightmare of credit thing for the past 2 years, every time I turn around, BINGO there is something else from years back from when he was married to the lying troll.
KAT

[Grace_Adler]

LOL..Troll..haven't used that one in a while. But I had a thought. When you're married what about the 50/50 thing..because I was thinking since he had access and was on there as a user would he be partly responsible? Especially if you have the reciepts with his signatures..assuming they're on there.

First I want to thank you for the responses. To answer a few questions: Yes, all the receipts I have received have his signature and also show what was purchased. Most of them were for Craftsman tools. There were others like suits and ties. For the most part I can prove they were not for me. I have cancelled the card. Also, received a copy of my credit report. I did not hire a lawyer but the court date is set for later this month. I just took a deep breathe and hoped for the best.

[kat1963]

You'll be okay!!!! At the worst, right, you'll be just as you are now..but I don't think so!!!!!!
Good Luck! You can get a judgement, but getting him to pay it is the hard part. Hopefully he owns something that you can slap a lien on if he doesn't.
KAT

olefjohu:

Talk about one dumb broad.

YOU should be ashamed of yourself, allowing a Man to take over the bills so it wont worry your pretty little brain.

I guess you know that YOU are responsible for YOUR signature.

YOU signed the application YOU gave him a card and YOU didnt pay the bill.

YOU owe a ton of money....

I am the first one to admit that it was stupid of me to trust him so much. However, your message demonstrated that YOU don't have ANY style or class.

I hope that your message made you feel better about yourself because, obviously, those are the kind of things you need to feel smart. If putting somebody else down makes you feel better, it says a lot about YOU. From your message, I conclude that you are a bitter and a sad person. You probably think the world about yourself but, trust me, you shouldn't.

I am sure you'll respond with something insulting, but I will not dignify you with a response again. You are not worth my time or energy.

Thank you......

So now YOU will pay your own bills, and write your own checks......And open your own mail.

We hey better late then never ....good luck!

[nailtech]

Originally posted by Olefjohu
I am the first one to admit that it was stupid of me to trust him so much. However, your message demonstrated that YOU don't have ANY style or class.

I hope that your message made you feel better about yourself because, obviously, those are the kind of things you need to feel smart. If putting somebody else down makes you feel better, it says a lot about YOU. From your message, I conclude that you are a bitter and a sad person. You probably think the world about yourself but, trust me, you shouldn't.

I am sure you'll respond with something insulting, but I will not dignify you with a response again. You are not worth my time or energy.

dont worry your not the first this "so called advisor" has given the wrong info to.. just read the stupid chit that come off his/her keyboard,.... and dont be offended... same chit just another post...

[URL=http://forum.freeadvice.com/search.php?
s=&action=showresults&searchid=53288]retertoooo's nasty, unethical coments in length[/URL]

why this persons not booted is beyond me, and others as well...

I guess you are from another planet**************.

On MY planet women are equal, and in being equal they have equal responsibility to pay their own way in society.

So this person somewhere LOST that idea..

Well better late then never to join our society as an equal person.