2. List your joint debts

Make a list of all your debts. Look at the loan agreements or contracts to see if you and your partner applied or signed for any of the debts together.

If you both signed an agreement for a loan, credit card, or mortgage, you are both responsible for paying the debt. If you have a joint debt and your partner files for bankruptcy, you are then responsible for paying the whole amount of the debt by yourself. This is true whether you are married, divorced, common-law, or separated.

Supplemental credit cards

If you and your partner both signed for a credit card, it is a joint debt and you are both responsible for paying it.

Sometimes a credit card company will allow your partner to give you a credit card from their account without making you sign an agreement. This is called a supplemental credit card.

If you have a supplemental credit card, read the back of the card carefully. If the card says that you have the same rights and responsibilities as the primary card holder, you might have a joint debt even though you did not sign the original agreement.

You should get legal help if you are being asked to pay for a card that you didn't ask for or have not used.