October 13, 2011

Will a dismissed bankruptcy show up on my credit report?

Dear Consumer Ed:

A few years ago, when my ex-husband and I were still married, we filed for bankruptcy. A few months into it we decided to get a divorce, so we never completed the bankruptcy, and it was dismissed. Will the bankruptcy show up on my credit report, and if so, will it stay on there as long as it would have if we had actually completed the process?

Consumer Ed says:

Yes, the dismissed bankruptcy will almost certainly show up on your credit report. The dismissal can stay on your credit report for 7-10 years, depending on the credit bureau and the type of bankruptcy you and your husband filed. It is a good idea to get a copy of your credit report to ensure that the information it contains is accurate. You can request a free copy of your credit report by going to www.annualcreditreport.com or by calling 877-322-8228. If you discover errors on your credit report or if the bankruptcy dismissal has been on your report for longer than 7-10 years, contact the credit bureau directly to dispute the errors. There is no cost to do so. You can contact the credit bureaus at:

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