 TITLE: How Will Marrying Someone Who Filed Bankruptcy Affect Your Credit? CONTENT: How Will a Bankruptcy Affect Applying for Future Credit?\n--------------------------------------------------------\nYour spouse's bankruptcy could affect any joint financing you pursue during your marriage. Buying a house is one of the biggest purchases you'll make as a couple, and you may face some hurdles if your partner has bad credit or has been through a bankruptcy. When a couple applies for a home loan, the lender will generally focus on the middle, or median, score for both partners and use the lower of the two to determine loan terms. If your partner's score is low due to bankruptcy, it may mean paying a lot more in interest or not being approved for a mortgage at all.\nBankruptcy's effect on your spouse's credit will also affect the likelihood that your spouse can qualify for a loan on their own, and the interest costs they'll pay if they are approved. If you're willing, you can cosign a loan for them, which can help them qualify for lower rates. As a cosigner, you're financially responsible for paying back the loan if they're unable to.\nDepending on the type of bankruptcy they filed, that event will stay on your spouse's credit report for either seven or 10 years. There are ways they can raise their score and increase your opportunities as a couple even before a bankruptcy is removed from your spouse's reports.\nYour partner should make sure all bills are paid on time going forward. That includes rent, utilities, credit cards, student loans and any other debts. Even if you can only pay the monthly minimum, on-time payments are crucial to achieving and maintaining good credit. END