I looked into this with a local lawyer recently and got a different answer than below - I was told that it is possible under UAE law for a husband/wife to be liable for the spouse's debts, even where there is no express contract or agreement to act as guarantor - but it is quite rare & would depend on the individual circumstances etc. I was told that it is more likely that a husband would be held liable for his wife's debts, than for a wife to be held liable for her husband's. I think the banks here will certainly have a good go & try anything to get their hands on what money they can if they have a debt left outstanding - including harrassing spouses, relatives and friends etc.
Hi,
Checked wit our lawyer....
NO. the loan and credit card is given according to the personal income of the one applying. The spouse is responsible for it only if he/she signed as guarantor and presented security cheque as such to the bank. If not, then only the person having the loan/credit card is liable as per UAE law.
Most bank if they can't collect the money from one will start calling the other one and they will tell you lots of things, but almost none will be correct.
If you own a property of any kind together that all is different & more complicated. If that is the case you need to find yourself a lawyer to make sure that you will not pay for something that you do not need to.
Unfortunately this info is not available in English :\:
Hope this is helpful.
Cheers
:)
Are you saying if BH died you wouldn't have to pay his credit card debt out of the estate? Just wondering-not about to push him under the No 10 bus................
I don't think that's what she is saying. Credit card debts etc would have to come out of his estate if he died before any residue was left to wife etc. but it would a different matter if he left her and hadn't settled his debts. If the accounts/debts are in his name only and she has her own accounts then she may not be held liable. But you may still cop for his life insurance....... as long as you don't get caught! LOL
Might leave him be then-quite fond of him actually!
Are you saying if BH died you wouldn't have to pay his credit card debt out of the estate? Just wondering-not about to push him under the No 10 bus................
I don't think that's what she is saying. Credit card debts etc would have to come out of his estate if he died before any residue was left to wife etc. but it would a different matter if he left her and hadn't settled his debts. If the accounts/debts are in his name only and she has her own accounts then she may not be held liable. But you may still cop for his life insurance....... as long as you don't get caught! LOL
If it is a joint account 'joint and severally liable' applies.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_and_several_liability
If it is just your spouses account then no although some financial institutions and debt collectors may try to lead you to believe otherwise.
Do you mean here or in your home country? No idea if the answer would/could be different, but it may be pertinent to what you are asking? I'm sure someone can help you further though. Sorry not to be much help myself.
<em>edited by pilotsprincess on 25/05/2011</em>