I'm confused, and scared, as financial worries have long been one of my deep anxieties given family history.
What state do you live in? Things a different from state to state.
My advise is to get a lawyer and talk to them.
I still live with my WAW. I've been DBing for close to 2 years now. In my case, detachment became much easier after I talked to a lawyer. I found out that I wouldn't be destitute if it came to a D. In fact, to stop the financial bleeding, I'd make out on the deal. To change the words on an old song "I never knew DEBT before, then came you".
My WAW is a mom who stays at home (and I worded that quite carefully), from a family where, well lets just say unemployment runs in the family.
I was told (and again, YMMV depending on your state, and length of M) that everything is 50-50 (even the assets I brought into the M) My WAW never worked. In your case, I'm guessing that you would split everything, including the debt.
Just because you cover you ass-ets doesn't mean you have to file nor does it mean you can't DB.
As for credit cards, I can steal your wallet if you like, or perhaps you just loose it. Ask WAW if you left it there.
After a few days, just cancel all the cards and ask WAW what you should do about replacements.
My WAW never worked. In your case, I'm guessing that you would split everything, including the debt.
