Marriage and Debt

MarriageMarriage and Debt

I just got married and I was wondering if I am responsible for my partner’s old debts?  The short answer is no.  Just because you married each other, this does not mean that you have any liability to pay anything from your partner’s old debts.  The old debts were his/hers before you got married – the liability to pay the old debts does not change.  A word of caution.  Do not sign anything that commits you to pay anything against your partner’s debts and do not request or accept a spousal credit card from your new partner.  Keep your finances separate.

Contact Rumanek & Company Ltd. for more information on bankruptcy and debt solutions. Or please fill out the free bankruptcy evaluation form. To learn more please visit our YouTube Channel. Rumanek & Company have been helping individuals and families overcome debt for more than 25 years. 

Cash vs Plastic

bankruptcyCash vs Plastic

There is no question in my mind that we have become a “plastic society.”  A credit or debit card is much easier to put in your pocket than a handful of loonies or toonies.  I would bet that the credit card companies had a party to celebrate the change from paper to coins.

Numerous studies have shown that the average person will spend more on a purchase if the purchase is made with a credit card or on a “pay later” plan.  What if you do not have the money to pay when the bill arrives?  Our parents/grandparents used to save the money to buy what they needed for cash.  Granted, credit cards may not have been an option as credit cards were not widely available to the general population until the advent of the computer chip in the 1970’s.  Notwithstanding, the principal of paying for significant purchase out of savings or a debit card is valid.  Simply put, it keeps you out of trouble.  If you cannot afford to put money aside to pay for the new TV, couch, bedroom set, kitchen renovation, etc., how on earth are you going to pay the bill when it arrives after you paid for it on a credit card.  Be careful with purchases which do not have to be paid until next year –  read the contract in detail and see what will happen if you do not pay the purchase in full on the due date.  You will be forced into a high interest rate loan that drives up the cost of your original purchase. Be a smart consumer.

Contact Rumanek & Company Ltd. for more information on bankruptcy and debt solutions. Or please fill out the free bankruptcy evaluation form. To learn more please visit our YouTube Channel. Rumanek & Company have been helping individuals and families overcome debt for more than 25 years. 

Executions Registered With a Sheriff, What To Do?

Executions registered with a sheriff, what to do? Bankruptcy Court

A debtor who has been discharged from bankruptcy or has completed a proposal has been relieved of all unsecured debts (with a few exceptions) –including a debt which led to a writ of execution being registered against the debtor’s property.  The execution is no longer enforceable after discharge, as the debt itself has been discharged.  However, the writ is not lifted automatically.

The first step in having a writ of execution lifted is to provide proof of discharge/proposal completion to the execution creditor’s solicitor, and request that the executions be removed. If the creditor’s solicitor is not co-operative, the discharged bankrupt should submit Form 60-O (REQUEST TO WITHDRAW A WRIT, links below) to the Sheriff’s office to request that the execution be lifted. If necessary, the debtor can bring a motion in court to have the execution lifted.

Form 60O: http://www.ontariocourtforms.on.ca/forms/civil/60o/RCP_E_60O_1105.htm or http://www.ontariocourtforms.on.ca/forms/civil/60o/RCP_E_60O_1105.doc.

Contact Rumanek & Company Ltd. for more information on bankruptcy and debt solutions. Or please fill out the free bankruptcy evaluation form. To learn more please visit our YouTube Channel. Rumanek & Company have been helping individuals and families overcome debt for more than 25 years.  

Am I Liable for Girlfriends Debts While We Are Together?

Are you in financial shape?I’m living with my girlfriend! Am I liable for a girlfriends debts while we’re together?

No.  You are not liable for her debts while you are together.  The reverse is also true – she is not liable for your debts incurred while you are together.  As well as neither of you is liable for each of your debts that either of you owed before you started living together.

Of course, if the two of you obtained credit jointly (i.e. – you both signed the loan or credit application) that you would make you both liable for the debt because it was loaned to the both of you.  Similarly, if either of you asked the other to sign any papers or documents with respect to an old debt – be careful- read what was signed – you might have guaranteed the debt and become liable if your partner defaults on it.  Also, be careful of giving your partner a supplemental credit card – the supplemental cardholder will be liable for anything they charged and, depending on the wording of the cardholder agreement, the supplemental cardholder may have made themselves liable for the entire debt on that credit card.

Please! Read everything before you sign anything.  Ask questions and understand the answers before becoming liable for another person’s  debts.

Contact Rumanek & Company Ltd. for more information on bankruptcy and debt solutions. Or please fill out the free bankruptcy evaluation form. To learn more please visit our YouTube Channel. Rumanek & Company have been helping individuals and families overcome debt for more than 25 years.