Divorce Debt

[Ilinfoplz]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Illinois
In my divorce, my ex was supposed to pay a lot of bills (he received the house and this was his way of buying me out of it). They were credit card bills (in both our names) and vehicle loans (for vehicles he kept). It has been 2 years and he has yet to pay anything towards any of these bills. I began receiving phone calls the night before last from a debt collector on one of the credit cards he was supposed to pay.

My question is how do I handle this? I told the debt collection agency that he was supposed to pay but they said my name was an authorized user so I was also responsible. I would appreciate any help. Thank you.

 

[cosine]

If these were originally joint accounts, then you are both equally responsible for them. It would not be just authorized for usage. A divorce does not change that. An agreement in divorce to pay is between you and the spouse and does not change the relationship between either of you and the creditor for amounts owed up to the finalization of the divorce ... or for subsequent amounts if you don't change the relationship specifically (e.g. close the account).

What makes you believe the account is entirely in his name with you being only an authorized user?

 

[Ilinfoplz]

I didn't even know about several of the cards. I didn't apply for them but when I spoke to someone with the credit card I was told that I was an authorized user. As far as the vehicles that he owed against I wasn't on those loans at all, however, I am receiving phone calls for debt collectors anyway. After I was made aware of the credit cards that had my name on them, I called to see if they were open or closed accounts. They had all been closed as of our divorce 2 years ago. I paid off my credit card before we were divorced but he hasn't paid anything. He has now moved and I don't have a clue where he is. I figure that since they can't find him they went looking for me. I am now considering filing for bankruptcy because of all his debts. Yesterday I received a notice from the bank that he has his house mortgage thru and was told it has been forclosed on and was sold at auction. There is a bill for $13,000 left due and it was sent to me. In our divorce I gave him a quit claim deed and he was ordered to get my name removed from the loan, but I 'm guessing he didn't do that.