Married couples build and accumulate jurisdiction in which they live.

Generally speaking, couples are responsible for all debts they contracted together and prior to the date of joint and several liability. After the date of separation, the new debts and liabilities of a divorcing couple belong to each of them individually.

A couple can get a very rough idea of the marital assets and subtracting that number from the sum of all their joint liabilities.

A couple who are separated on a basis are still liable for any joint debt each incurs individually.

Some liabilities can be handled easily. When a couple decides to divorce, joint credit cards should be satisfied and cancelled. The spouses will need to re-establish credit individually in any event. Spouses heading for divorce should inform their creditors, and put what is called a "hard close" on the accounts.

Other liabilities must be negotiated as part of the spouse indemnifying the other.

A divorcing couple are liable for the debts they incurred when married, and if anything, their creditors are even more attentive to them than a stable married couple.