Divorce and Your Credit Score — What You Need to Know
By Ribet Myles Family Lawyers – Specialists in High-Value and Complex Divorce
Divorce is more than a legal separation — it often involves untangling years of shared finances, assets, and responsibilities. One question that frequently arises during this process is:
Will divorce affect my credit score?
The short answer is no — not directly. Your credit score does not include your marital status, and there’s no “divorce flag” on your credit file. But that’s not the whole story. While the act of divorcing itself won’t impact your credit, the financial consequences surrounding it can.
In this article, we explain how divorce can affect your credit score, what to look out for, and how to protect yourself financially during and after separation.
Disclaimer: This article is for general guidance and does not substitute legal advice. Always consult a specialist family lawyer.
How Credit Scores Work
Your credit score is a numerical reflection of your creditworthiness — in other words, how reliable lenders believe you are at managing and repaying borrowed money. In the UK, three main credit reference agencies (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) maintain your credit files. They look at factors such as:
Your payment history
Your total and available credit
The length of your credit history
Any missed or defaulted payments
Public records (e.g., CCJs, bankruptcies)
Importantly, your marital status is not recorded on your credit report. So getting married or divorced doesn’t directly change your score. But where you are financially linked to someone — through a joint mortgage, loan or bank account — their financial behaviour can affect you.
Why Divorce Might Impact Your Credit Score
Joint Accounts and Financial Associations
If you have joint credit — such as a mortgage, credit card or loan — you are financially linked to your spouse in the eyes of lenders. This is called a financial association.
Even after separating, if these joint accounts remain open, lenders can still review both credit reports when you apply for new credit. That means your ex-partner’s financial conduct could affect your ability to borrow, and vice versa.
Missed or Late Payments
Divorce can be emotionally taxing — and financially chaotic. Bills get missed, responsibilities shift, and previously agreed contributions may stop. But the reality is: if your name is on a joint account, you're both responsible for payments.
Even if your divorce agreement says your ex is responsible for a particular debt, the lender can still hold you liable if your name is still on the account.
A single missed or late payment can damage your credit score — and in some cases, make future borrowing more expensive or difficult.
Closing Joint Accounts
Understandably, many people want to sever financial ties as quickly as possible. But closing long-standing accounts can temporarily impact your credit score, particularly if it reduces your available credit or average account age. That said, protecting your financial independence is usually worth the short-term hit — and there are strategies to minimise the impact.
Change in Income and Credit Use
Divorce often means adjusting to life on a single income. If you're relying more heavily on credit to cover expenses, you may see your credit utilisation ratio rise — a key factor in credit scoring. High utilisation (e.g. using 80% of your available credit) can reduce your score, even if you're paying on time.
What You Can Do to Protect Your Credit During Divorce
Being proactive is the best defence. Here are some steps you can take:
Review all joint accounts and debts early on — ideally before finalising the divorce.
Contact lenders to discuss options for closing or separating joint accounts. In some cases, the debt may be transferred into one name.
Make at least minimum payments on all accounts — even if they’re “your ex’s responsibility.” Protect your credit first.
Create new, individual accounts in your own name — including bank accounts, utilities, and credit cards — to rebuild an independent credit profile.
Register on the Electoral Roll at your new address — this simple step helps confirm your identity and boosts your score.
Keep a budget and monitor your credit reports for any changes or unexpected activity.
Separating Your Credit from Your Ex
Once joint accounts are closed or transferred, you’ll want to remove the financial link from your credit reports. This is known as a financial disassociation.
Each of the three credit reference agencies allows you to request this (usually online). You'll need to show that:
All joint accounts are closed, and
You no longer live at the same address
Disassociating ensures that your credit applications are judged solely on your financial history — not your ex-partner’s.
What If My Ex Won’t Pay a Joint Debt?
This is an unfortunately common issue. You may have agreed — even through a court order — that your ex will take on certain debts. But unless the lender agrees to remove your name from the account, you are still legally responsible.
If they default or stop paying, the lender may pursue you. A court order doesn’t override the terms of a credit agreement. It’s essential to either:
Have the debt refinanced into one name, or
Pay it off and seek reimbursement through legal means
If this becomes a point of contention, legal advice is strongly recommended — particularly where large debts or property are involved.
Rebuilding Your Credit After Divorce
Life after divorce is a fresh start in many ways — and your credit profile is no exception. With a bit of focus and consistency, you can rebuild a strong, independent credit score.
Here’s how:
Set up direct debits to ensure bills are paid on time
Use a low-limit credit card responsibly to demonstrate good borrowing behaviour
Avoid applying for too many new accounts at once, which can make lenders nervous
Regularly check your credit reports with Experian, Equifax and TransUnion to catch issues early
Think of this as an opportunity to take back control of your financial identity.
Frequently Asked Questions
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No. Marital status isn’t recorded on your credit report. But shared financial responsibilities — and how they’re handled — can affect your score.
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Yes. Unless your name is formally removed from the account or the debt is refinanced, you remain jointly responsible — even if your ex agreed to pay.
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It’s a link between two people created by joint accounts. Lenders may consider both parties’ credit histories when assessing applications.
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Contact each of the UK’s three credit reference agencies (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) and request a financial disassociation — once joint accounts are closed.
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No, not directly. But it’s vital to update your details with lenders and on your credit files to ensure your credit report remains accurate.
Final Thoughts
Divorce is complex enough without letting it damage your financial future. While your credit score won’t change just because you’ve separated, the decisions you make during and after divorce can have a lasting impact on your financial health.
At Ribet Myles, we advise clients through high-value, often international divorce matters — including those with complicated financial or business interests. We work with discretion and clarity, ensuring that financial issues are approached with foresight, precision and protection in mind.
If you’re considering divorce — or are already going through it — and need clear advice about how it may affect your financial situation, including joint debts and credit risks call Ribet Myles on 020 7242 6000 to speak with one of our expert family lawyers in confidence.