Small Claims

[kimberley Wolff]

Wisconsin marital law is 50/50. Two years ago my boyfreind was divorced. His papers say that both parties are liable for the bills they incured together. Meaning must be paid off 50/50 split. This year we were going to buy a house together. When the credit report came back, it stated several bills that He/She made together. He called her to try to get a settlement for the over due bills. She states that she thought he had paid everything with his tax returns last year, in which she never paid her half then. But, he did pay the bills that came up on his credit report then. Now another year later and presto more he/she bills are on his report. Does he take her to small claims to collect on this, this year? He did pay all from last year. She should have to pay for half. He pays child support every week. What right does he have for these bills to be paid? She does not want to acknowledge these responsibilities. She also works for a law office in Hudson,WI. Please with out a doubt help. Without in Wis..
PS SHE IS ONLY A RECEPTIONIST THERE. PLEASE GIVE ME SOME HELP......

[Edited by kimberley Wolff on 02-22-2001 at 02:53 PM]

 

[JETX]

Payment of mutual bills in the case of divorce is a BIG problem that is seldom resolved in the decree. Part of the problem is that the divorce has little, if anything, binding to the creditors. Basically, the creditor made a loan to a married couple. When they divorce, the creditor has now real way to know of the decree, and even if they were advised, their position is that each person is EQUALLY responsible, no matter what 'personal arrangement' might have been made between the two.

So, your only recourse is to pay the bills, then pursue recovery of the 50% portion from the 'ex'.