A divorce or separation is hard on the heart and, often, your wallet. As your household divides into two, you might find yourself confronting debt from the relationship, plus the cost of post-divorce living.
The Top 5 Things You Need to Know About Divorce and Debt
1. Shared Debt is a Risk
A critical mistake is not immediately addressing joint credit cards or lines of credit. Allowing a former spouse to continue using these accounts can lead to new debt for which you are still legally liable.
❗To-do: Create a comprehensive inventory of all your debt — both joint and individual. Gather credit card statements and personal loan documents. Understand precisely who is legally responsible for each debt and its current status.
2. Single Life is Expensive
Many people underestimate the true cost of living independently. This oversight can lead to financial stress, forcing you to use credit cards to cover basic needs.
❗To-do: Creating a new budget is one of the most important and overlooked steps of a divorce or separation. Meticulously track your new expenses, prioritizing needs over wants and identify areas where you can reduce spending to free up funds for debt repayment.
3. The Details Matter
When was the last time you checked the details on insurance policies or reviewed your permissions for personal accounts? The end of a relationship is the best time to do any much-overdue financial housekeeping.
❗To-do: Not updating beneficiaries on financial accounts or overlooking the creation of a new, post-divorce financial plan can lead to future complications and potential debt. Meet with a financial planner to assess your assets and organize which accounts need to change (and which can stay put).
4. Build and Rebuild your Emergency Fund
You may have dipped into savings to help pay for the extra expenses associated with divorce. Your independence and stability matters now more than ever — so don’t wait to start saving.
❗To-do: Start rebuilding or establishing a new emergency fund. (We’ve got a great guide to get you started!)
5. Don’t Hesitate to Ask for Help
The end of a relationship can be the fresh start you need, but it can also be anxiety-inducing, overwhelming and terrifying. If you’re in over your head in unsecured, personal debts, don’t wait — get help now.
❗To-do: Talk to Accredited Debt Relief. Our program empowers people to get out of debt faster, with payments they can afford. See how much you stand to save every month by getting a personalized quote.
How Accredited Debt Relief Helps You Tackle Debt After a Divorce
If unsecured debt is piling up after a separation, you have options beyond minimum payments. Accredited Debt Relief matches people with a debt relief program or a consolidation loan — whichever fits their budget — to lower monthly payments and resolve enrolled balances on a clear timeline. Here is how it works.
- Tell Us About Your Debt — Call or fill out the online form for a free consultation. A specialist reviews your situation and explains your options — with no obligation and no impact to your credit for checking.
- Get an Affordable Option — You are matched with a debt relief program or consolidation loan built around your monthly budget and the amount you owe.
- Pay Off Your Debt Faster — Most clients become debt free in 24 to 48 months — much faster than making minimum payments alone.
Debts We Can Help With
Unsecured debt like:
- Credit card debt
- Personal loans
- Department store cards
- Medical bills
- And other unsecured debt
Fees are success-based with no upfront fees — they range from 15% to 25% of your enrolled balances, are calculated as a percentage of what you enroll and may vary by state. There is no cost to explore your options.
Is Debt Relief Right for You After a Divorce?
Accredited Debt Relief evaluates people across all 50 states and Washington D.C. who are overwhelmed by debt after a major life change. A debt relief program may be a good fit if you:
- Have $5,000 or more in unsecured debt
- Need relief from credit cards, personal loans, medical bills and more
- Are struggling to keep up with minimum monthly payments
- Have a regular monthly income
- Are facing financial hardship after a divorce or separation
- Want a free consultation before making any commitment
Not sure where you stand? A free, no-obligation consultation will give you a personalized savings estimate in minutes.
Why People Trust Accredited Debt Relief
Accredited Debt Relief has spent 15 years helping people get out of debt, and the recognition reflects it. The company holds an A+ rating and accreditation with the Better Business Bureau, is an accredited member of the Association for Consumer Debt Relief (ACDR) and staffs its team with IAPDA-certified debt specialists.
That track record shows up in the reviews, too: a 4.9 on both the BBB (3,000+ reviews) and ConsumerAffairs (3,000+ reviews), and a 4.8 on Trustpilot (10,000+ reviews) and Google (13,000+ reviews).
The work has also earned national recognition for customer service, including the 2025 Excellence in Customer Service Award from the Business Intelligence Group, Customer Service Department of the Year at the American Business Awards and the 2025 Financial Wellness Champion Award from Banking Tech Awards USA.
I was able to save $455 a month. Having that extra money made me able to plan again and think about a future.
Marilyn B., a real client with $30,529 in debt
Testimonials reflect individuals’ opinions and may not be illustrative of all individual experiences. Clients featured were compensated for sharing their stories.
New money challenges often pop up during divorce proceedings, especially around unsecured debts like credit card bills or personal loans. But remember your strength. Taking charge of your finances and finding expert support are key to untangling financial ties and building new stability.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by credit card debt or personal loans after separating, debt consolidation with Accredited Debt Relief can offer an affordable way out of debt.
Checking your options won’t affect your credit score.
Divorce and Debt: Frequently Asked Questions
Am I responsible for joint credit card debt after a divorce?
Generally, either person on a joint account can be held responsible for the full balance, no matter what a divorce agreement says about who pays. A divorce decree divides responsibility between former spouses, but it does not change your original contract with the company that issued the account. Review every joint account, and consider closing or separating them where possible. For the legal specifics in your state, talk to a family law attorney.
What happens to shared debt in a divorce?
Shared or joint debt usually stays the responsibility of both account holders until it is paid off or moved into one person’s name. Start by listing every joint and individual account, confirm who is legally responsible for each and decide which accounts to close, refinance or pay down first.
Can I get debt relief after a divorce?
Yes. If you have $5,000 or more in unsecured debt such as credit cards or personal loans after a separation, you may qualify for a debt relief program. Accredited Debt Relief offers a free, no-obligation consultation to review your options, and its programs typically help people become debt free in 24 to 48 months.
How do I handle credit card debt on one income after a separation?
Build a new single-income budget, prioritize needs over wants and focus on high-interest balances first. If minimum payments are no longer affordable, a debt relief program can reduce eligible monthly payments by 40% or more and resolve your enrolled balances on a timeline you can manage.
About The Top Dollar Blog by Accredited Debt Relief
The Top Dollar Blog is a publication by Accredited Debt Relief, a leading debt consolidation company that has helped more than 1.3 million clients take meaningful steps toward getting out of debt. Over the course of its work, the company has supported clients in resolving more than $15 billion in debt.
Accredited Debt Relief is a DBA of Beyond Finance that is recognized for its client-first approach and has earned multiple awards including the ConsumerAffairs Buyer’s Choice Awards for Customer Service, Overall Process and Best Value.
The company also maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, accreditation from the Association for Consumer Debt Relief (ACDR) and an Excellent Trustpilot rating supported by thousands of five-star reviews.
The information on this site is provided as a general resource and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. While Accredited Debt Relief makes every effort to ensure accuracy, this content, including any third-party sources referenced, should not be the basis for any financial decision. For guidance specific to your situation, we recommend consulting a qualified professional.