 TITLE: Is It Better to File Bankruptcy Before or After Marriage? CONTENT: How Marriage Can Affect Your Debt and Credit\n--------------------------------------------\nYou are personally on the hook for any debt you incurred before you said \"I do.\" After you get married, however, the state you live in as well as the type of debt you take on will determine who is responsible for debts.\nIf you live in a community property state, both you and your spouse have an equal obligation to repay any debt you incur during your marriage. In a common law state, only debt that benefits your marriage or has the names of both partners on it will be a shared responsibility.\nNow that you know how marriage may affect debt, you may be curious how it impacts credit. Since marriage doesn't merge credit reports, your credit will remain yours and your spouse's credit will remain theirs.\nHowever, this doesn't mean one partner's credit will have no impact on their spouse. If one of you has poor credit, it may hinder your search for an affordable mortgage, car loan or any other debt that would benefit from a cosigning spouse. END