US spouse has student debt. If I move there, am I liable?

[SCOREAU 36]

In the process of applying to move to usa as the uk spouse of a us citizen who has been in uk for a decade. Am I liable for her student debt ( alot of money ) amassed before I knew of her existence.?

Quite important, as I'd rather we stay here if that's the case. Thanks.

[Crazy Cat 39,258]

5 minutes ago, SCOREAU said:

In the process of applying to move to usa as the uk spouse of a us citizen who has been in uk for a decade. Am I liable for her student debt ( alot of money ) amassed before I knew of her existence.?

Quite important, as I'd rather we stay here if that's the case. Thanks.

No....

[debbiedoo 2,339]

she should be paying her student debt even if she is there 😕

 

but no, you are no obligated personally for her debts incurred before you.

[Roel 7,191]

18 minutes ago, SCOREAU said:

In the process of applying to move to usa as the uk spouse of a us citizen who has been in uk for a decade. Am I liable for her student debt ( alot of money ) amassed before I knew of her existence.?

Quite important, as I'd rather we stay here if that's the case. Thanks.

That's so odd. Assuming your love your spouse, you'd rather stay separately than move in and help her pay off her debt? Love these days...

[Jeanne Adil 1,651]

you are not even if you divorce but if she passes away,  any debts must be paid from her estate 

 

you may want her to get a life insurance policy to cover these

Edited June 9, 2019 by adil-rafa

[milimelo 4,205]

And depending on if she defaulted on the loans they may come after any tax refund. Look up innocent spouse provision available so they don’t go after your refund as well. May be wise to figure out how you’ll do finances when you move - if she hasn’t been paying student loans it may mean her credit score is very low. 

May also want to look up Dave Ramsey and other financial planners and make it a priority to pay down student debt. 

[SCOREAU 36]

36 minutes ago, Roel said:

That's so odd. Assuming your love your spouse, you'd rather stay separately than move in and help her pay off her debt? Love these days...

It has everything to do with my retiring early, being free of debt, and providing for my wife and daughter, who is settled here anyway - and not moving to a country that, apart from having no public healthcare, would be our final life decision in terms of where we live. I'm through with debt. It's called being sensible.

37 minutes ago, adil-rafa said:

you are not even if you divorce but if she passes away,  any debts must be paid from her estate 

 

you may want her to get a life insurance policy to cover these

She has nothing over there, apart from student debt and family.

[Jeanne Adil 1,651]

57 minutes ago, SCOREAU said:

In the process of applying to move to usa as the uk spouse of a us citizen who has been in uk for a decade. Am I liable for her student debt ( alot of money ) amassed before I knew of her existence.?

Quite important, as I'd rather we stay here if that's the case. Thanks.

not sure how long you have been married but this should have come up when she filed US tax returns (unless she is living solely off you)

and if that is the case,  she would not be able to meet the income requirements to support the spouse visa

[SCOREAU 36]

37 minutes ago, milimelo said:

And depending on if she defaulted on the loans they may come after any tax refund. Look up innocent spouse provision available so they don’t go after your refund as well. May be wise to figure out how you’ll do finances when you move - if she hasn’t been paying student loans it may mean her credit score is very low. 

May also want to look up Dave Ramsey and other financial planners and make it a priority to pay down student debt. 

Call me selfish, but giving everything up here to move to more debt would be a silly choice.

[Jeanne Adil 1,651]

2 minutes ago, SCOREAU said:

It has everything to do with my retiring early, being free of debt, and providing for my wife and daughter, who is settled here anyway - and not moving to a country that, apart from having no public healthcare, would be our final life decision in terms of where we live. I'm through with debt. It's called being sensible.

She has nothing over there, apart from student debt and family.

but she and you will be required to file taxes when here /  married filing jointly,   they will expect student loan to be paid

any property she has here like bank account or other assets can be garnished/  it is hard to live without owning something

[gregcrs2 1,777]

1 minute ago, SCOREAU said:

Call me selfish, but giving everything up here to move to more debt would be a silly choice.

Being retired early and completely out of debt myself, I completely understand you.  

[SCOREAU 36]

2 minutes ago, adil-rafa said:

not sure how long you have been married but this should have come up when she filed US tax returns (unless she is living solely off you)

and if that is the case,  she would not be able to meet the income requirements to support the spouse visa

Thanks for replying. Married 10 years and she has permanent leave to remain in uk. Re immigration: I am being petitioned by my wife but relying solely on my assets here ( pensions, assets ). I just say mine because the house is in my name as wasn't working at time of buy and easier to not include her in buying process; that's all.

[Roel 7,191]

4 minutes ago, SCOREAU said:

Call me selfish, but giving everything up here to move to more debt would be a silly choice.

Deleted because I decided it wasn't worth is.

Edited June 9, 2019 by Roel

[Jeanne Adil 1,651]

2 minutes ago, SCOREAU said:

Call me selfish, but giving everything up here to move to more debt would be a silly choice.

not selfish if your life there is decent

everyone should see what liabilities they are getting into

i still say we should all see a credit report along with full medical and full criminal report

it is not asking too much if a person has nothing to hide

after all ,  a USC marrying another USC knows the person's job,  living arrangements and usually the family

you do not

[SCOREAU 36]

2 minutes ago, adil-rafa said:

not selfish if your life there is decent

everyone should see what liabilities they are getting into

i still say we should all see a credit report along with full medical and full criminal report

it is not asking too much if a person has nothing to hide

after all ,  a USC marrying another USC knows the person's job,  living arrangements and usually the family

you do not

We have a house, I have a good job. I have no criminal record. I can retire early. We can have a good life here, and it all feels like a bad choice. Okay, her family are there but if it all goes tits up, they won't be helping.