There’s no one right answer to this question. Although paying off debt before divorce can simplify the proceedings, the right answer ultimately depends on your needs and how you’ve set up your family’s finances. If you choose not to pay off debt before divorce, keep in mind that to remove the other party from a credit account, you may have to refinance. Likewise, if one party is unable or unwilling to pay off their portion of the joint debt, the credit card company may pursue collection from the other party, no matter what the divorce agreement says. Every situation is different, but as a general rule, it can make sense to liquidate marital assets to pay off marital debt.