Will a debt relief order affect my partner?

A debt relief order (DRO) is based on your situation as an individual so it’s unlikely to affect your partner, unless you’ve got joint debts or a joint account.

Will my debts be transferred to my partner if I get a DRO?

If your debts are in your name only, they can’t be transferred into your partner’s name if you get a DRO.

This is the case even if you’re married or you move in together.

What if we have joint debts?

If you’ve got joint debts with a current or ex-partner, this won’t stop you applying for a DRO.

You’ll need to give the full amount of those debts to your DRO adviser during the application process. That amount will count towards the £50,000 DRO debt limit.

If you’re granted a DRO, you’ll be released from the responsibility of paying any joint debts covered by your DRO.

Unless the other person also gets a DRO, they’ll become 100% liable for the full outstanding balance of those joint debts. That means lenders can ask them to pay your share of the debt as well as their own.

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Is eligibility for a DRO based on individual or household finances?

A DRO application is based solely on your financial circumstances. But before we recommend one, we’ll need details of your household income and spending.

This is so we can make sure anyone you live with is paying their fair share of the bills. So, for example, if your partner is bringing in 70% of the household income, we’d expect them to contribute 70% towards the household bills.

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If I live with my partner, will their credit rating be affected by a DRO?

A DRO won’t affect your partner’s credit rating, even if you live together.

The only exception to this is when you have joint bank accounts or debts.

If a joint account or debt defaults because of missed payments, this will affect both your credit ratings. This could happen if your partner can’t afford to pay the outstanding debts on their own.

A default stays on your credit file for six years.

If I live with my partner will their spending or borrowing be limited by a DRO?

Your partner’s spending or borrowing won’t be limited because you have a DRO, but your adviser will advise if there is an unfair split of bills within your household.

For example, if you both have a similar income it would be expected that bills are split 50/50.

If both incomes are very different, it would be expected that you both contribute a fair share based on that income.

Your adviser can go through this in more detail.