Skip to main content

Sharing a credit card is a bigger commitment than dividing household bills or co-signing a lease or an auto loan. So it’s best to weigh advantages and disadvantages thoughtfully before applying for a joint card.

On the plus side, a person with a lower credit ranking may have access to better offers and be able to raise their score easier. Having a card in common instead of separate accounts reduces bills and offers built-in accountability and transparency. It can also decrease annual fees and let holders pool rewards or frequent flyer miles. Both joint account holders will have full privileges. Each can call the company to inquire about balances, dispute a charge, request a limit increase or ask for a lower rate. When a spouse’s name is on the account, it can be simpler to close the account after the other spouse dies.

The biggest drawbacks to joint credit cards are the inherent risks associated with them. Both card holders are equally responsible to pay charges. Suppose an adult child shares a card with an aging parent who becomes ill and forgets to pay a bill; both of their credit scores will be affected. Or consider what might happen when a parent opens a card with their 18 to 20-year-old student who can’t qualify individually – but also has little experience handling credit.

When a spouse dies, the other will be liable for the entire balance of the joint card. Unless the couple lived in a joint property state, the surviving spouse would not be liable for debt from credit cards held only in the deceased spouse’s name. No matter what a divorce decree says, credit card issuers will hold both spouses responsible for unpaid debt on a joint card, but a judge can order the account closed. Unmarried couples have even less protection.

Adding an authorized user to an individual card is an alternative that provides consolidation and transparency, but holds the original card owner solely responsible for the debt. As safeguards, primary cardholders can often limit the amount their authorized users can charge and can easily cut them off if it becomes necessary to do so.

We’re concerned about every aspect of your financial security and are happy to arm you with knowledge to help you make informed credit decisions.  Please contact us if you would like help deciding which type of credit card is right for your life-stage situations.  We are always happy to help.  Contact Jordan Dechtman, your Centennial Colorado Investment Advisor Representative at 303-741-9772, email him at Jordan@JordanDechtman.com, or visit our website www.JordanDechtman.com to schedule an appointment.

Written by Securities America for Distribution by Jordan Dechtman.

Important Disclosure Information

Please remember that past performance may not be indicative of future results.  Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment, investment strategy, or product (including the investments and/or investment strategies recommended or undertaken by Dechtman Wealth Management, LLC [“DWM”]), or any non-investment related content, made reference to directly or indirectly in this blog will be profitable, equal any corresponding indicated historical performance level(s), be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful.  Due to various factors, including changing market conditions and/or applicable laws, the content may no longer be reflective of current opinions or positions.  Moreover, you should not assume that any discussion or information contained in this blog serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from DWM. To the extent that a reader has any questions regarding the applicability of any specific issue discussed above to his/her individual situation, he/she is encouraged to consult with the professional advisor of his/her choosing. DWM is neither a law firm nor a certified public accounting firm and no portion of the blog content should be construed as legal or accounting advice. A copy of the DWM’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available for review upon request or at www.dechtmanwealth.com.

Please Note: DWM does not make any representations or warranties as to the accuracy, timeliness, suitability, completeness, or relevance of any information prepared by any unaffiliated third party, whether linked to DWM’s web site or blog or incorporated herein, and takes no responsibility for any such content. All such information is provided solely for convenience purposes only and all users thereof should be guided accordingly.

Please Remember: If you are a DWM client, please contact DWM, in writing, if there are any changes in your personal/financial situation or investment objectives for the purpose of reviewing/evaluating/revising our previous recommendations and/or services, or if you would like to impose, add, or to modify any reasonable restrictions to our investment advisory services.  Unless, and until, you notify us, in writing, to the contrary, we shall continue to provide services as we do currently.

Please Also Remember to advise us if you have not been receiving account statements (at least quarterly) from the account custodian.

Join our newsletter

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.