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Original poster

Bailiffs!

52 replies

FairCoralCat · 02/10/2026 10:02

Hi everyone,
My DP (we’re engaged but not married) has now subjected me to two bailiff visits in a matter of months.
Both times he’s been at work and I’ve been home with the DCs.
I have had no idea anyone would be visiting the house for this purpose and I’m upset, embarrassed and furious. What would you do in this situation?

OP posts:
TheWickerWoman · 04/10/2026 13:40

hidingmystatus · 02/10/2026 18:32

Can I just point out that, in England and Wales, you ARE NOT liable for someone else's debts unless you agree explicitly. Marriage WILL NOT make you liable for your spouse's debts (though they will be taken into account for the settlement if divorcing) if you were not jointly liable in the first place. This is true whether they pre-date the marriage or are incurred after it. Even after marriage, you would have to explicitly agree to be liable for debts, if they were run up by the spouse in their sole name.
This is why one spouse can be bankrupt and the other not.

Came in to say exactly this. A lot of people are under the impression that marriage ties you to another persons debt which it absolutely does not.

However, you’d still be suffering the fallout if it of you do choose to stay with him so that needs sorting or I would not marry him. Plus can you trust him not to do it again further down the line.

TheWickerWoman · 04/10/2026 13:44

Nearly50omg · 03/10/2026 18:28

If it’s your house tell him to leave and if it’s his then leave. This will just be the tip of the iceberg and for gods sake don’t marry him or you will be liable to pay his debts!!!

She won’t be liable for his debts for marrying him. She would only be liable if she is jointly named on the loan/bill (which she is not).

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