Old Debts from a Prior Marriage

QUESTION:

P.W. asks "I was divorced over a year ago. In the divorce papers, my ex-husband agreed to pay off a credit card bill that was in both of our names. The divorce papers said he would hold me harmless for this debt. But now I am getting collection calls. Am I still liable for this debt?"

ANSWER:

Unfortunately the answer to your question is yes. You are still contractually liable for this credit card debt because the final divorce decree was binding on only you and your ex-husband and not on the credit card company. As such the credit card company can still go after both you and your ex-husband for the unpaid debt. Your best recourse is to enforce the terms of your final divorce decree by going after your ex-husband for this unpaid debt. If he continues to fail to pay the debt you may be able to have him held in civil and/or criminal contempt. You should contact an attorney about what actions can be taken in order to force your ex-husband to pay this old marital debt.