Should My Spouse and I File Separate Bankruptcies?

There are a number of married couples who keep their finances separate.  Dad pays the mortgage, mom pays the utilities.   However, this may not be a compelling enough reason to file separate bankruptcies.  Married couples have the option of filing separately or jointly.   One spouse could file and the other could not.

Deciding whether or not to file jointly or separately depends on the couple's finances.  For example, if a couple has two mortgages, they may want to consider filing separately.   However if they only have one of each bill and they are named jointly on debts then they may consider a joint bankruptcy.

Although it offers more benefits than drawbacks, bankruptcy can be a complex process for a pro-se debtor.  If you are a married couple with questions, our firm can help you make the best decisions for your needs.