Family & Joint Debt

A joint debt is a money agreement you sign with someone else. This guide explains how shared debts work and what happens if you or your partner struggles to pay. We’re here to help you understand your options and take positive steps forward.

What is a joint debt?

A joint debt is when two people both agree to pay the same debt. This means you are both responsible for it. Common examples include:

• A joint mortgage
• A joint bank loan
• A joint bank account overdraft

What happens if one person cannot pay?

If you take out a joint debt, you agree to pay back the whole amount if the other person does not. This means you’re responsible for the full debt, not just your half. In the financial world, this is known as ‘joint and several liability’.

Are my partner’s debts my responsibility?

Marriage or a civil partnership does not automatically make you responsible for debts your partner took out in their own name. You only share responsibility if you signed a joint agreement.

For example, credit cards are never joint. The main cardholder is the only person responsible for paying the balance. The same applies to personal loans and bank overdrafts taken out in just one name. If you sign a guarantor agreement, it is not a joint debt, but you will still have to pay even if the other person misses their payments.

How do joint debts affect your credit file?

When you open a joint account, your credit files become linked. Lenders will look at both of your credit histories when you apply for new credit. Payments you make toward joint debts affect both credit files. If a payment is missed, it will show up on both of your records.

What happens to joint debts if your partner is bankrupt?

If your partner becomes bankrupt, they are no longer legally required to pay their share of a joint debt. The people you owe will then ask you to pay the full amount. If you own a home together, you might need to seek legal advice to understand how your property could be affected.

Debt solutions for couples

We offer several ways to help you manage joint debts. When you contact us, our colleagues will always explain all the available solutions, their eligibility, and help you choose the option that best fits your situation.

Debt Management Plans: A Debt Management Plan is an informal agreement between you and the people you owe. You can set up a joint plan with your partner to pay back your shared debts in affordable monthly amounts.

Joint IVAs and Linked IVAs: Before looking at an Individual Voluntary Arrangement as a solution for you and your partner, it is important to understand how joint debts might affect it.

An IVA is a personal debt solution, so technically, there is no such thing as a joint IVA. However, some couples use something called a linked IVA. This means you each have your own IVA, but they are linked because you share money and household bills, although including a joint account in an IVA could lead to it being frozen for you and your partner. We recommend that when considering an IVA, you have your own separate account. You still apply separately and remain responsible for your own debts.

Read our complete guide to joint IVAs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I remove my name from a joint debt? A: You usually cannot remove your name from a joint debt unless the balance is paid off or the lender agrees to put the debt in one name.

Q: What if my relationship breaks down? A: If you are separated from your partner, you are still both responsible for any joint debts.

Get confidential debt advice today

Solutions like an IVA or a Debt Management Plan can help many couples and families, but it’s important to understand your options first.
Get free, confidential advice online or call 0800 316 1833 to speak to one of our experts. We’re here to help you understand your options and find a practical solution.

Related joint debt advice and support

If your situation involves changes to your relationship or family finances, these guides can help:

• Debt and divorce: Understand how separation affects joint debts and what happens next
• Child maintenance and debt: Learn how payments are worked out and what to do if you’re struggling to keep up