Divorce may be a scary thing, especially when we talk about some financial problems that may rise after it. Not so long ago, my friend Betty, who was a stay-at-home mother for the last 12 years and her husband Nick got divorced. Betty has never had a job and never had a credit account of her own. She was confused and frustrated! She didn't even know if she had a credit score and wondered if there were any credit card offers that she could get to improve her credit. If you have similar questions, here are the answers!

If you have never had a credit account of your own, you may think that you have no credit, but in reality you have more on your credit history than you may think. If you and your spouse had a joint account or took a mortgage together, it doesn't matter who applied for a credit or who paid for it, the paying history will be reported on both of your credit reports.

If you were an authorized user of your spouse's credit card, that's even better! You can use a credit card, but you are not responsible for the credit card debt that may occur! The credit history will be reported in your name too.

This will work for your benefit only if your wife or husband is a responsible credit card user and has a good credit. If not, then it will have negative impact on your credit! In any case, it is high-time to establish your own credit history.

Since both of you are responsible for the debt on you joint accounts, you should get rid of them as soon as possible or call your credit card company and put a freeze on your accounts until you agree who owes what.

If you have problems getting a credit card, apply for a secured credit card. In order to get this card, you have to deposit a sum of money (this sum becomes your credit line) to the bank account. This card will give you a chance to prove yourself as a responsible creditor: your paying information will be reported to three major credit bureaus, that's why in order to get a better credit card deal, you have to use secured plastic wisely!

You can also get a car loan without any problems, because the loan is secured by your car, which makes the risk for the lender much lower.

Start a new life after the divorce! It is good that you think ahead about your financial future during this hard time! Begin with your credit history: build it slowly and meticulously. Remember that from now on you are responsible for your financial future, that's why you have to take control of your money and of your life too!

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