Moving to the US from the UK
Date: Thu, 06/09/2005 - 15:16
I intend to marry my US girlfriend at the end of the year, and move to the US permanently. I have 2 loans, one of £20,000 and one of £8,000. I don't have any problems paying them now, but I'm concerned that I won't get a good enough job in the US to pay for everything, and not be able to establish myself properly.
I don't want to not pay my debts, but I'm wondering if I ran into problems with paying them, what the implications by law are. Can I be taken to court in the US for a UK debt? Can I be traced/extradited? Does it affect my US credit rating? When you apply for credit in the US, do they ask for previous UK addresses, and are they credit searched, via Equifax/Experion?
It's a serious worry, and one that I don't want to have to think about, especially as the laws for credit being liable to the spouse in the US.
I have read varying reports on here, so I'm unsure what to believe. I've never had credit problems in the past, so I haven't a clue what to make of it all.
Thanks!
Hi Reckless Welcome to the forums. It is nice to know that yo
Hi Reckless
Welcome to the forums. It is nice to know that you are getting married at the end of the year. Heartiest congratulations in advance :D
Quote:
I have 2 loans, one of ??20,000 and one of ??8,000. I don't have any problems paying them now, but I'm concerned that I won't get a good enough job in the US to pay for everything, and not be able to establish myself properly. |
Being a responsible citizen, I will always advise you to pay off your debts. Though you are willing to pay, it might be wiser to make peace rather than inviting problems across the border. After you have paid all your debts, life will become much easier on both sides of the border.
Quote:
I don't want to not pay my debts, but I'm wondering if I ran into problems with paying them, what the implications by law are. Can I be taken to court in the US for a UK debt? Can I be traced/extradited? Does it affect my US credit rating? When you apply for credit in the US, do they ask for previous UK addresses, and are they credit searched, via Equifax/Experion? |
Since you are going to settle in the US permanently, there are different credit laws as per the FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act). So, your UK credit will not be shown in the US credit report.
Moreover, if you stay out of country long enough, the statute of limitations for legally collecting the debt will expire. They will charge off and expire after 7 years reporting time from the credit report.
Since you will be staying in the US, you will have to acquire new credit, for a separate credit report.
Quote:
When you apply for credit in the US, do they ask for previous UK addresses, and are they credit searched, via Equifax/Experion? |
It is always suggested to pay off your past debt before leaving your country rather than inviting tension across border especially when you are about to begin a newly married life. You will not wish to get embarassed in your future life. Will you?
Please let us know your move and we hope to see your active participation in the forums regularly.
Regards
Roxette
Moving to the US from the UK
Hello Guest,
Welcome to the forums.
Generally, a creditor from U.K. will not pursue you to the U.S. to collect your debts. In U.S.A., you will be able to establish a fresh credit.
Once you are in the U.S., make sure your telephone numbers are in the unlisted category.
Later on, if you decide upon clearing off your debts, do not pay them through your bank. If you do so, your creditors will know your account details. They may misuse that information to extract more money from your account. If you give them a check, the may also come to know your account details.
Make all your correspondence with your creditors through mail.
Keep a backup copy of the entire correspondence.
You should also keep all the receipts and copies of money orders, for the money that you have sent to your creditors. This is proof of all your dealings with them.
Hope this information helps you.
Feel free to return to the forums if you have any further queries.
Regards,
Peter
Thanks Roxette and Peter for your replies. I would prefer to
Thanks Roxette and Peter for your replies.
I would prefer to pay my debts if at all possible, but what with trying to setup a new life in the US this may not be possible.
At least now I know I won't be hounded in the US, and can pay for things in my own time. I intend to initially set aside 6 months payments from my UK account, and then if things goes wrong, and I don't settle, I'm not in a mess if I have to come back. That will also give me some breathing space for getting settled, and on advice from Peter, I'll use some sort of money order to pay for the ongoing payments. If I run into problems, then I'll just have to contact them to reschedule.
Thanks again! :) Your help and this website is appreciated.
Hi RecklessWelcome back. It is nice to feel your positive vi
Hi Reckless
Welcome back. It is nice to feel your positive view. As a responsible citizen, you should always clear your debts instead of leaving them aside. That makes you even more committed towards your life.
We will appreciate your signing up in the forums for regular updates on debt consolidation and related issues. You can enter your contact information at the sign up page to join our community members in the forums. We expect that your comments and suggestions will be of great help to the community members.
Regards
Roxette