 TITLE: What Happens to Your Credit When You Get Married? CONTENT: Do You Share Debt When You Get Married?\n---------------------------------------\nDebts you and your spouse acquired before marriage remain your individual responsibilities. After marriage, you'll undoubtedly assume some joint debts, but the extent and nature of those debts can depend on the state you call home. The so-called \"community property\" states—Louisiana, Arizona, California, Texas, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico and Wisconsin, along with Alaska, which lets couples opt in to community property rules—consider both spouses equally responsible for all assets and debts acquired in the course of the marriage. That includes debts and other liabilities racked up by either spouse, even if the other spouse is unaware.\nResidents of the remaining states, as well as Alaskans who choose not to opt in to community property rules, follow \"common law\" rules, under which spouses can assume debts and own property as individuals but also take on joint debts that benefit both parties (and any children) as a family. END