So you're thinking of getting married. Congratulations. Unlike a few people I recommend marriage as long as both partners understand it's a 100%/100% effort to prop up the other party. Marriage, when done right, is a wonderful idea and I support it whether it is simply performance of a civil contract or a deeply spiritual moment signifying the union of two souls as one.
What is one of the number one destroyers of a happy marriage? Money matters. In fact even strong marriages often have moments of struggle over finances. Usually the conflict is not over how much or how little income there is but rather, regardless of how much or how little income there is, how it is spent.
Recently a question was posed, "does my credit affect my spouse's?"
The answer is NO.
As long as the credit is not join credit, both persons guaranteeing repayment, the credit stays separate. Even if you list your spouse as an authorized user your lack of repayment or lack of timely payments will not affect them. It does not matter if you are not yet married and about to be or if you are married for 30 years. Individual credit, credit you take out in your own name, does not help or harm your spouse's credit any more than it does your neighbor's.
While it is true on a joint credit history examination both people's credit will appear they will also be listed as (B) for borrower and (C) for co-borrower. Some reports may use different codes but the idea is the same.
You may be wondering, "what if both spouses are on the same credit item?" Glad you asked. That would be indicated as (J) for joint. In the case of join credit then yes, you are both equally affected for the good ... or the negative.
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