Legal Question in Family Law in Illinois
Paying joint bills
My son was recently divorced. Their financial situation was deplorable and they had seen a company who help them consolidate their bills, contact creditors, etc. They were placed on a schedule for paying their debts. If one payment is missed, all payments are due immediately. In the divorce settlement, each person is responsible for half of the payment each month. She has now told him she cannot pay her half and in order not to void the repayment plan, my son is having to make the whole payment. He says if she won't pay it, he has to. Is this true? Does he have any recourse at all? This divorce wasn't his choice. He lost his wife, son, home, job, etc. It seems like everytime he begins to put his life back together, she manages to rip it apart again. I have found that men seem to have very few rights in a divorce. Can you give me any help? Thanks
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Paying joint bills
Creditors (including the debt consolidation people) don't care what the divorce decree says because they have a contract with both of them. Your son needs to take her back for a contempt of court issue.