If you are going through a divorce it may be a good idea to check your credit. While it is probably a good idea for everyone to do this periodically, it can be even more important when going through a divorce.
First, be aware that for pending Orlando divorce cases (and throughout Florida), you generally have an obligation to report your current financial status to the court and the opposing party. Because the divorce process can be very stressful, most people are not at their best (some at their worst). It is easy to lose track of what your obligations are or how much they may be. A check of your credit may help you realize you have forgotten about or underestimated a debt which could be more difficult or even impossible to deal with after the divorce matter is closed.
Second, in particularly acrimonious cases, an upset spouse could deliberately do things to cause damage to your credit such as taking out new loans and credit cards. Keep in mind that many spouses know enough personal information (such as a social security number, birth date, mother’s maiden name, etc.) to open a new credit card or get a loan. They could also be misdirecting bills or failing to make timely payments to creditors that you assumed they were taking care of. This may be damaging your credit and increasing your debt.
Be Proactive
Consider checking your credit report periodically during your divorce. The good news is that if you live in Florida, you can get a free credit report annually at AnnualCreditReport.com. Since you can get one annual report from each of the three providers, you can check your credit every 4 months for free (check a different report every four months)! You can complete the process in just a few minutes online, or you can request your report by mail.