During divorce proceedings, the couple must assign all debt accrued during the marriage, including mortgages, car loans, and credit card balances, to one of the spouses. Couples dividing debts should be aware that creditors may continue trying to collect a community debt from either or both ex-spouses. If a debt is allocated to one spouse, the other can request the court to put a lien on that spouse's separate property as security for paying the debt.