A good rule of thumb is, always keeping your own credit accounts that you had prior to getting married “your credit accounts”. In the event that you do get married, you can start joining new accounts together. However, when it comes to credit a smart move would be to keep your credit separate.
You can still pay your monthly bills and credit accounts together without joining credit accounts. Imagine this, your spouse already has a house under his or her name, you lose your job and since you are married ya’ll both suffer from less income. You receive the dreaded foreclosure letter from the bank. You have no choice but to let the foreclosure happen, now your spouse’s credit is ruined. You need a place to live so you move into an apartment, but, who signs the lease?
The other person whose credit is untouched by the foreclosure and your spouse can simply be added as an occupant. Or, you need to purchase a new car, but the foreclosure will raise your interest if your spouse is added to the car loan. Purchase the vehicle under your name (the one with good credit) and you can receive a lower interest rate.
There are positive benefits to keeping credit accounts separate in case of a disaster. However, depending on the beliefs of your future spouse, this may not be accepted.
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