Debt pursuit

[ceejay1]

My sisters and her husband were intending to move to Greece where they had bought a property to renovate using drawdown from their mortgage in England. The husband has been travelling back and forth to Greece these past two years supposedly working on the property whilst my sister slogged away in England to pay the mortgage and bills. She received an e mail from him last week ending their 18 year marriage. He alone has run up business and credit card debts of �40000. The property in England is in joint names but with a huge mortgage yet the one in Greece is in his name only and paid for. It seems he intends to run away from his debt leaving my sister in the lurch. Does anybody know if CC companies and banks can pursue debts in Greece. My sister is worried she will have to sell her house to pay for his debts whilst he gets away scott free.

[themas]

Are the �40K debts in his sole name, or are they in joint names with your sister? (If she is a second card holder on a card this still counts as being in his sole name.)

If in his sole name, then legally she has no responsibility for the debts and the lenders will chase him. She can give them his new address and what they do then is up to them.

If in joint names, then both of them are liable for the full amount of the debts and the lenders can chase either of them for the full amount. As she is in this country and he is not it is likely they will then chase her. But any action they take should be related to her financial circumstances. She should get independent advice - CAB; CCCS; National Debtline; local debt advice service.

[Whickerman]

He's still in the EU - and subject to EU law. See a solicitor asap.

[ceejay1]

Thankyou for your prompt replies. The cards are all in his name. We were hoping that EU law would apply and he would be accountable for debt he alone has incurred.
My sister is currently waiting to see a solicitor under the legal aid scheme but is beside herself with worry as well as coping with the realisation her marriage is over.