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liability of gambling addiction

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laman985

Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? louisiana My wife of less than a yr has a bad gambling problem and has overdrawn her checking account by quite a bit.We have maintained our seperate checking accounts since being married thank god or mine would be in the red too!I do believe our marriage has or is going down the tubes so I need to know what can I do to protect myself from liability for her actions until we actually seperate and get divorced.Thanks really need some good legal advice!What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? louisiana
 


LdiJ

Senior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? louisiana My wife of less than a yr has a bad gambling problem and has overdrawn her checking account by quite a bit.We have maintained our seperate checking accounts since being married thank god or mine would be in the red too!I do believe our marriage has or is going down the tubes so I need to know what can I do to protect myself from liability for her actions until we actually seperate and get divorced.Thanks really need some good legal advice!What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? louisiana
You honestly need to separate LEGALLY asap if you are dealing with a spouse with a gambling addiction. The longer you stay together the greater the risk is that she will run up debt that you will end up being partially responsible for. You can always reconcile if she gets help an conquers the gambling addiction.
 

mba761

Junior Member
I have experience with an ex-husband who was a gambling addict!
Close any credit cards that you have joint so that she can not take cash advances at casinos! Make SURE you notify the credit card company NOT to reopen the cards in your name for any reason. (They've been known to do so). Also, make sure there are no joint bank accounts.
Do you own a house? If the titel is in just your name - great. If not, check the laws in your state regarding the house. If she runs up debt, they may be able to obtain a lien against your house.
Cars - Do you own vehicles outright? How are they titled? She can get cash loans by taking the titles to one of these quick loan places.
Check your credit report! Spouses can easily obtain credit cards in your name. They have all the info and it's easy to do.
I'm now divorced from my gambling addict, but thank god I was given advice to protect myself.
Divorce is not the answer..she needs professional help!
 

mistoffolees

Senior Member
Divorce is not the answer..she needs professional help!
Actually, for the OP, divorce may be the answer. if his wife is unwilling to get help, he may decide that divorce is preferably to repeated bankruptcies. He is not responsible for fixing his wife - she has to do that.
 

newwifefl

Member
possible solution

Hi...my deepest sympathies to you. I have a husband that is doing the same thing. Gambling online as I type this as a matter of fact. Maybe we could introduct my husband to your wife! They would probably be a great couple until they become homeless!
 

laman985

Junior Member
still trying

thanks for the replies. We do have seperate checking accounts,house and my car are in my name from before the marriage-well mine and the banks,credit cards just in my name,But Im sure I can be held responsible in the long run.Ive heard I should place and ad in the paper saying im no longer responsible for her debts but something tells me even if that works we would have to be seperated first.anybody know?and yes seperation aspd very well may be in order but still trying other alternatives even though im running out of those too!!! p.s. no children together in picture and their adults
 

kvl

Junior Member
my wife

Hi there. My wife of 14 years marriage has hit rock bottom. She gambled away our Christmas and bill money. And we will be late on our mortgage payment because of it as well. It's been going on (off and on) now for about five years. I'm at fault for not taking control of our financial situation because I did not want to become a gate keeper to my spouse. Obviously it hasn't worked. She joined Gamblers Anonymous thankfully and gave me control of her cards and checking.

But what now? She feels very guilty. Feels like a loser. I can only be there to comfort her so much. I don't want her to dislike me because I have "control" over her now. We have two kids, 13 and 11. She is a wonderful mother and wife and is the rock of our family. I can't see myself without her. I read elsewhere about people with similar stories and the advise I read was to legally divorce. I don't want this. I'm going to fight this. It's worth fighting for. But I just want to know what to expect from folks who have dealt with this. Things to avoid. Things to focus on.
 

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