Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Minnesota

Re: Financial responsibilities after marriage

Complicated issues. Generally, your debts are yours, her debts are hers, til death do you part.

JOINT debts are different, and you should get legal advice before you put a house in one name only, (since both signatures will be required on sale) and death will affect title and inheritance issues.

Feel free to call or e-mail to set up a meeting.

Re: Financial responsibilities after marriage

For any debts which existed BEFORE marriage, you are not liable and will not become liable just by marrying him. You and he have separate credit histories and will continue to have even though you get married. You should check periodically with www.annualcreditreport.com to verify there is no "crossover" between your credit records in the future. If you purchase a home, the thing the creditors will want to know is: "Is there a flow of value from his earnings into "her" house?" If so, there are some potential "fraudulent conveyance" questions. Your fiance MAY want to consider bankruptcy premarriage; he surely will want to consult with a good consumer credit counseling person or agency, such as Lutheran Social Services or CCCS in Hennepin County. There are many internet places too, of greatly varying quality. You will want to work out a plan before marriage of how to deal with his debts, as having one half of a couple harassed for old debts puts a lot of stress onto a marriage. If "her" money goes to pay "his" old debts, and now they cannot buy groceries, that is a recipe for conflict.

Good Luck!