What to do if your ex took out credit cards in your name?

When couples are together, they often accumulate debt and possessions during their relationship. While the signature and credit of two are often better than one, if the relationship ceases to exist, the debt remains. Make no mistake about it, without a court ruling on specific debt, if something is in your name you are on the hook for the money owed, no matter who created the debt. 

What do I do if my ex opens a new account in my name? 

There are steps to mitigate the situation of an ex opening new accounts in your debt, but to be clear, it is not an easy process. The first step is to close the credit card, or line of credit, immediately. Unfortunately, you will need to get a plan in place to repay the debt. If you are in the process of a divorce, this matter can be dealt with along with the remainder of your divorce proceedings. You might also have success reporting the extended credit as fraud. Keep in mind, if you do declare something as fraud, the company will ask you how long you knew about the debt. So, if this is something you agreed to at one point, but no longer do as you are not together, fraud is not the avenue you want to take. You can also freeze the card or credit line and take your former partner through small claims court, depending on the amount. The question at that point would be, what will the total debt be with legal and court fees afterwards? We recommend constantly keeping an eye on your credit report and consider calling an attorney for help immediately.

There are important things to keep in mind when it comes to finances. One thing to remember is that financial abuse is a form of domestic abuse and should always be treated as such. If someone is manipulating you or coercively controlling you creating a challenge for you to leave, please report this to your local law enforcement immediately. If you are not in fear for your safety or the safety of your children, spend some time gathering all important documentation to leave and be able to regain control of your finances. 

Contact a family law attorney today if you are facing any issues and make sure you protect yourself, your children, and your assets.