Division of Asset and Debt After Divorce- The Right Way

Divorce not only splits a couple but also splits their assets, debts, salary, house, and other expenses dealt by the two. The splitting of assets might seem like a luxury, but what about the debt deficit?

Debt is settled down by a debt consolidation loan, which the court decides who is responsible for paying which bill. In such a case of debt consolidation loans, the amount is often too high to be paid by a single person. 

A divorce may change a person’s financial situation, as the expenses divided between the two are now to be dealt with by one single-handedly. 

Resolve your issue with a debt consolidation loan:

Calculate your debts and assets after divorce by following this process 

The division of debts and assets varies from country to country, depending on that state’s divorce and consolidation law. Usually, consolidation law demands the division of debts and investments between the two individuals and the outstanding debt assigned separately to each. 

The real challenge occurs in agreeing both the parties to the assigned settlement of dues and making them pay it as it becomes difficult to decide which expenses were incurred by who and how to make them pay it.

Usually, one of the spouses is a homemaker and has no self-earned income. In such situations, it becomes a task to make the couple agree to the debt settlement decision. Already the couple is going through a lot of disagreements, and financial decisions become one more.

Handling the debt settlement amount to the non-earning spouse seems like an awkward decision, but on the other hand, it seems unfair to assign the debt to the earning partner. The scope for negotiation reduces considering all these differences between the couple. However, a mutual understanding between the couple can settle this matter of distribution.

Division of Debt and final divorce settlement

Various factors are considered before the final divorce settlement. Here are some of them to let the couple handle their debts smartly 

Mutual discussion of the debt settlement before a divorce

The mutual divorce takes a particular time; the couple can utilize that time, consenting and agreeing on certain decisions. The official divorce procedure usually takes some time; the to-be divorced couple can use it to discuss in detail the division of their debts and assets. 

Such settlements before the divorce will make it easy for the couple to repay their debt and the financial institution. Also, if the couple wants any changes in the asset authority, it can be completed during the official divorce period.

Debt and its legal liability

According to the consolidation law of most nations, it is not necessary that the liable debt taken during the marriage span is divided as per who spent the most; the debt may be equally divided between the two.  

In most states, the court gives debt repayment after divorce to the spouse who has incurred it. To simply explain, the debt goes in the name of the spouse who’s name the debt was legally taken on. 

However, the debt consolidation loan providers want their debt to be paid regardless of the share division as they want their debt back by any possible means.

Dealing with the future debt disputes

If the couple divorces, everyone becomes responsible for their expenses. The individual can hire an attorney or a debt settlement company if by any means the individual fails to pay their costs. Taking help from any of these two will guide them better about their repayments.

Applying for bankruptcy can have adverse effects on both the spouse’s debt liability. On the one hand, bankruptcy can eliminate the hues of the applier, and on the other hand, the other spouse will have to handle all the expenses if the secured assets are more than the total due of the applier.

Hence, the couple should take extraordinary measures, and bankruptcy can only be filed with the consent of both the couple.

Debt settlement 

They choose the debt relief option and paying off your debts before a divorce can be a relief for both spouses. First, the couple should pay their unsecured debts, such as credit cards, high-interest loans, and other unsecured debts.

Now the couple should focus on their revolving debts such as lines of credit, and then the couple should focus on their fixed payment debts such as car loans, house loans, and student loans. Regardless of whose name is on the debt payer list, the couple should ensure that none of them has the liability once the debt is repaid.

Refinancing your debt consolidation loan

The cash-out mortgage refinance plays a vital role in the consolidation loan. This mortgage closes in 30 working days, but sometimes it may take more time. Couples should consider their attorney if they are divorcing between this period to take all necessary steps of cash refinance, which can be both dangerous and beneficial in financial terms.

Cash-out refinances all the equity of the non-possessor spouse by putting the loan and assets in the actual possessor’s name. To avoid any such happenings, take your attorney’s advice before making any decisions.

The most affected during this process are the loan-providing institutions. It becomes challenging for the collecting officers to collect the recovery amount from the couple as both of them are reluctant to pay their ex’s part of the debt and create a dispute regarding the debt share. 

Even the financial officers remain confused as to who to hold accountable for all the debt payments. Also, some cases like one-party filing a bankruptcy case make it even worse for them.