You're ready to file for divorce. You've spoken to an attorney and you have the paperwork ready to file. If you haven't planned for your own financial future, you might be doing yourself a huge disservice. To be specific, if you haven't prepared for your own credit needs, you may have a difficult time stepping out on your own. This is particularly true if all your credit is wrapped up with your spouse. Before you file your divorce papers, take a closer look at your credit. Here are three things you can do to create your own credit history.  

Get Copies of Your Credit Report

Before you can begin building your own credit, you need to see what your credit report has to say. Your credit report will tell potential creditors whether or not to extend credit to you. In fact, your credit report will also be used by potential employers and even rental companies to determine your worthiness for employment and housing.

Once you have your credit report, examine each account. Make sure that all the information is correct, including your name, address and social security number. If you find errors, be sure to dispute those as soon as possible. Taking care of the errors before the divorce will allow you to start your new life with the correct information on your credit report.

Apply For Your Own Credit Card

If all your credit cards are owned jointly by you and your spouse, you need to stop using those credit cards and apply for your own. If you wait until after your divorce, the courts may order you to close your joint accounts, which means you'll have no credit history of your own. Contact your credit card companies and apply for an individual account. This will allow you to establish your own line of credit before you file for divorce.

If you don't have enough credit to qualify for an unsecured credit card, apply for one that's secured. You'll deposit a small amount of money into a secured bank account and that will become your line of credit. Once you've established an on-time payment history, you'll be able to switch your secured account to an unsecured one.

Open a Bank Account

Creditors also look at bank accounts. Before you file for divorce, open an individual bank account in your own name and maintain a small balance. When your credit applications ask for your account information, you'll be able to provide them with your own information. If you have a joint bank account – and you live in a community property state – it's a good idea to withdraw half the money from the joint account and deposit it into your own account.

Don't spend the money. You'll need to explain to the judge why you withdrew the money. However, it will prevent your spouse from withdrawing all the money and leaving you with nothing to rebuild your life with.

Don't walk away from your marriage without the credit you'll need to start your new life. The tips provided above will help you establish your own credit. When you're ready to file for divorce, be sure to speak to an attorney (such as one from the Law Office of Jared T. Amos).