If you are contemplating a divorce in Pennsylvania, you know that you and your current spouse will have to figure out how to split any assets you share. You will also have to figure out how to split any debts you have. If your spouse owes money for student loans that have not yet been fully paid, you might be concerned as to whether or not you will be held responsible for this money. On the other side of the equation, if you are the one who owes student loan debt, you might be wondering if your spouse will be held accountable for some of this, especially if they have clearly benefitted from your education.
The College Investor explains that the final decision about which spouse is left holding the bill for student loan debt will depend on many factors that you will work through during the divorce settlement process. One thing you should be aware of, however, is that even with a final divorce decree in hand, you will want to pay special attention to the name or names listed on the original loan documentation.
Imagine the student loan debt is yours but your spouse is ordered to pay half of it back. If they fail to make those payments, it is your credit that may take the hit since it is your name on the loan.
This information is not intended to provide legal advice but is instead meant to give spouses with existing student loan debt who are considering a divorce in Pennsylvania some things to investigate further before they make a final divorce agreement.