How to Remove Questions Related to an Ex-Husband on a Credit Report

Divorce ends a marriage but doesn't always end credit issues with a spouse. Joint credit obligations with your ex-husband will continue to appear on your credit report after your marriage ends. The judge in the divorce court can order your ex-husband to pay certain debts, but legally, the judge cannot end your responsibility for the joint debt -- or the reporting to the credit bureaus. For example, that means that you and your ex-husband both remain liable for a joint automobile loan, even if the court orders him to make the payments. Problems can occur when your ex-husband does not make timely payments on accounts that are his responsibility, because the delinquent payments show up on your credit reports. However, there are steps you can take to remove, or answer questions about, your ex-husband's debt responsibilities.

Instructions

1

Get copies of your credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com. The site is authorized by the Federal Trade Commission to offer free credit reports under the terms of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Credit reports are available through the site from major credit bureaus TransUnion, Equifax and Experian. View and print credit reports through the Annual Credit Report website.

2

Read each credit report to identify credit obligations that your ex-husband is responsible for paying as stipulated in your divorce decree. Make note of accounts that are past-due. Prepare a short written statement explaining your ex-husband's responsibility for the debts as stated in the divorce agreement. Keep the statement to just one or two paragraphs. Mention that you and your ex-husband are joint borrowers on the accounts and that he is responsible for making payments. List the names of the accounts.

3

Contact the customer service departments for Experian, Equifax and TransUnion to request placement of the statement on your credit report. Contact the credit bureaus by calling their respective customer service number as listed on the credit reports. The credit bureaus may take a brief statement over the phone and add it to your report, or provide instructions for mailing the statement. The statement will not improve your credit score or remove any information from your credit report. However, it can address questions creditors may have when reviewing your credit as you apply for loans. Creditors will see the statement each time they review your credit report.

4

Demand that the credit bureaus also remove any accounts belonging solely to your ex-husband. Credit bureaus sometimes make mistakes, and there is a chance an account your ex-husband owns may show up on your credit report. Follow instructions on your credit report for disputing and removing this information. Depending on the credit bureau, the disputes process is possible through the mail, online or by phone.