If I get married, I’ll take on my partner’s debt
If you get married, you won’t be responsible for any debts or financial obligations your partner had beforehand.
You’re not liable for any debts or credit products they take out in their own name after you’re married.
Debts you could be liable for
Joint financial agreements
If you open a joint bank account or take out a loan or a mortgage, you’ll both be liable for these. This is called 'joint and several liability’.
Council tax
If you live in England or Wales, you'll normally be jointly responsible for any council tax owed on the property, even if only your partner or spouse is named on the bill.
Water rates
All adults in the property are responsible for the water bill during the period they lived there, even if they're not named on the bill.
When I die, my family will have to pay off any debts I have
When someone dies and leaves behind unsecured debts (debts that aren’t secured against a home or something else of value) in their name only, the unpaid balance will be settled with any money available in their estate. This is made up of items such as a house, savings and investments.
The personal representative of the person who died might be liable for their debts if they don't administer the estate properly.
Most unsecured creditors will only pursue debts unpaid when someone has died if they left behind a large estate, such as a house owned outright with lots of equity.
If the person had no assets at the time of their death, any debts they owed in their name only are written off.
If they leave behind a joint debt that needs to be paid, the surviving person will be liable for the full balance.