Post-Divorce Use of Marital Credit Cards

**dalejr8** · 03-20-2006, 08:42 AM

I have similar case. When we were married, I got cards in both of our names and paid them. We then consolidated with a credit counselor while we were still married. This was 6 years ago. It is now paid off, I took it over after the divorce. I have since paid it, and ex is now threatening to sue me for fraud or identity theft. Our divorce was final on November 2004. He said if I go after him for back child support, he can sue me for the credit cards, is this true?
I am from NY

**aaron** · 03-20-2006, 11:36 AM

These are credit cards that were obtained during the marriage, which he has known about for years, and which are fully paid off? And the issues weren't raised in the divorce? I'm not seeing much substance to his threats.

**dalejr8** · 03-20-2006, 03:39 PM

Thank you for your response....
I have heard from many people that the credit cards were considered marital property and were "dissolved" in the divorce.
Child support has nothing to do with marital property as I understand

**aaron** · 03-20-2006, 04:58 PM

The credit card accounts will typically remain open until the account holder closes them. Joint credit card accounts will typically allow either account holder to make purchases, with both account holders liable for the resulting debts, until they are closed or one of the account holders asks to be removed from the account. The entry of a divorce judgment won't of itself close the accounts or remove an ex-spouse from an account.