| As a bankruptcy attorney, I often receive calls | | | | owing debts for the new spouse unless they sign |
| from concerned fiances who don't want to be on | | | | a contract obligating them for this liability. In |
| the hook for their future spouse's debts. She is | | | | Georgia, marriage alone does not make you liable |
| desperately in love with him and can't wait to get | | | | for the debts of your spouse. You can go ahead |
| married. The are meant to be together. But who | | | | and marry Romeo without worrying about his |
| wants to get strapped for the debts of another | | | | creditors seizing your bank account. |
| person? Love can sometimes go out the window | | | | I practice consumer bankruptcy law only in |
| when some garnishing creditor takes all your | | | | Georgia. If you live in a state that has community |
| money out of your bank account. | | | | property, call a bankruptcy attorney in your local |
| Just the other day, I was talking with a lady from | | | | area and have them review your entire situation. |
| Hiram GA who was in this type of situation. Her | | | | Even if you live in Georgia, it might be a good idea |
| credit is perfect. His was not. This was her first | | | | for him to file bankruptcy before you get married |
| marriage and his second marriage. She has no | | | | so that you can start the marriage off with a |
| credit card debt. In contrast, he was $50,000.00 in | | | | clean slate. |
| credit card debt. Her concern is increased further | | | | Once you get married, it might also be a good |
| by the fact that her house in Hiram GA was paid | | | | idea for you to file separate tax returns. When |
| off five years ago. As long as she does not put | | | | you sign a joint tax return, you are jointly liable |
| his name on the deed of her house, the asset will | | | | for any tax debt on that return. I've had so many |
| be safe from his creditors after they get married. | | | | clients are now divorced but got stuck paying his |
| As long she does not sign any contracts with him, | | | | tax bill because they signed the joint return. "But |
| her credit will be safe. | | | | the accountant said it would lower the tax liability |
| The good news for Georgia residents is that | | | | if I filed with him." While that may be true, the |
| there is no community marital property. As a | | | | end result is that she got stuck owing the taxes. |
| result, there is no way someone can end up | | | | |
