By STEVE BUCCI, bankrate.com
Debtadviser: Others not liable for card owner's debt
Dear Debt Adviser,
A relative who had me on his credit card accounts as an authorized user has died broke. The credit card companies are calling me to make payment arrangements. I understand that authorized users are not responsible for the account. Is this correct and where can I cite this? -- Angela
Dear Angela,
Debtadviser: Can a doctor's bill hurt your credit rating?
Dear Debt Adviser,
This doesn't seem terribly important in the current economic crisis, but perhaps someone else is experiencing this problem.
Wife responsible for new spousal debt
Dear Debt Adviser,
I just read your response about credit rating in marriage. But I would like to take this one step further. My fiancee has a good credit rating and I have a very poor rating. She feels that I would adversely affect her rating if we got married so she has decided that she never wants to get married, only to date the rest of our lives. She's 54; I'm 58.
Be careful before taking money from 401k
Dear Debt Adviser,
I was let go from my company, had credit card debt and couldn't find a job. I had to pack up and move in with my son in a different state, so I took out all my 401(k) money to pay my bills and move.
Wife not married to spouse's old debts
Dear Debt Adviser,
Can my husband's creditors come after me and my assets for recovery of his debt? We're newly married within the last 5 1/2 months. -- Sue
Dear Sue,
Somebody didn't do her homework! I never cease to be amazed by the lack of even the most rudimentary investigation into the pasts of soon-to-be-weds.

