Question:
Can my wife legally sign a house lease with her boyfriend although we are not separated and still legally married?
Would I be liable for any debts if she defaults on the lease since we’re married?
Answer:
First let me preface my answer by stating that I am not licensed to practice law in your state. I am unable to provide any specific advice to your question because your state’s rules and statutes can affect your case.
Just because you may still be legally married does not mean that your wife cannot enter into a contract with another individual. This would be no different than if your wife wanted to get her own credit card.
You should not be held liable if she defaults on the lease, so long as you did not sign the lease. Generally, the only people that can be liable for the lease are the people who actually signed the lease.
However, you should contact an attorney in your jurisdiction to ensure that you are protected from any individual debts that your wife may incur.
Cordell & Cordell has men’s divorce lawyers located nationwide.
Jason Bowman is an attorney in the Louisville, Kentucky, office of Cordell & Cordell. He is licensed in the states of Kentucky and Texas. He received his Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Louisville, and received his Juris Doctor from Texas Wesleyan University.
