Reader's story: Dollars and sense

July 2009

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I read "Financial strategies for the single mom" (May) with interest, even though my kids are grown. After 25 years of marriage, four years of retirement, and at 60 years of age, my husband one day announced he was "moving into another phase of his life" and it didn't include me.

I quickly found out that being "secondary" on any kind of account means nothing more than you are responsible for payments; you may not assume that account. And you cannot have your name removed from a credit card account until it is paid in full – even if the charges are post legal separation. All women – regardless of age, martial status, employed or retired, with or without children – have to realize how susceptible they are in financial areas. As "Karen" in your article says, it is humbling to have to ask a man who has abandoned you to call and agree to account changes – even when you have been making them all along.