How do you rebuild your credit after a divorce?

Divorce itself doesn't appear on your credit file. What matters is any credit you shared. A joint mortgage, loan or bank account creates a financial association between you, and lenders may look at your ex's record when you apply for credit while that link exists. The ICO says you should not be linked to someone just because you live at the same address.

If your ex misses payments on something in joint names, that shows on your file too. And if most household credit was in your husband's name, you may have little history of your own, which can make borrowing or renting harder.

The three main credit reference agencies in the UK are Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. You can get a statutory credit report from each one free of charge, and you don't need to pay a subscription for it.

Check all three, because lenders choose which agency to use and the files can differ. Look for:

• accounts you don't recognise
• joint accounts you thought were closed
• financial links to your ex or anyone else
• whether your current address and electoral register details are right

If something is wrong, raise it with the agency and ask it to investigate. You can also add a notice of correction, a short statement explaining your circumstances that lenders will see.

Once you no longer have any joint accounts or joint credit, write to each credit reference agency asking for a notice of disassociation. This removes the link, so your ex's record no longer affects your applications.

The agencies can only do this when nothing joint remains open. If you still have a joint mortgage or joint loan, the link will stay until it is paid off, refinanced or moved into one name.

With credit in joint names you are jointly and severally liable, which means the lender can ask either of you for the whole amount, not just half. National Debtline explains that a court order or consent order saying who pays does not change who is liable to the creditor.

Credit cards work differently. Only the main account holder is liable for a credit card balance. If you were an additional cardholder on your husband's card, the debt is his.

Practical steps:

1. List every joint debt and who has been paying it.
2. Contact each lender to ask about closing, freezing or moving the account into one name.
3. Keep copies of any agreement with your ex about who pays what.
4. If you are struggling to keep up, tell the lenders early and get free debt advice.

Separating your finances takes time, and some joint credit, such as a mortgage, may stay in place until the settlement is finalised. In the meantime you can limit the risk.

Ask your bank whether a joint account can be changed so that both of you must agree to any withdrawal. That stops either of you emptying it or running up an overdraft you would share. If you are an additional cardholder on your husband's credit card, you can ask to be removed, and if he is an additional cardholder on yours, you can remove him, since you would be liable for what he spends.

If payments on joint debts are being missed, contact the lender straight away rather than waiting. National Debtline suggests writing to ask for a hold on the account while you get free debt advice. Keep a note of every call and letter, because it helps if you later need to explain a missed payment with a notice of correction.

Register to vote at your new address. Electoral register details appear on your credit file. If you are already registered and the agencies show it wrongly, raise it with them and check your details with your local council.

Open a bank account in your sole name and move your salary, maintenance and benefits into it. Put household bills you are responsible for, such as energy and broadband, in your name and pay them by direct debit so nothing is missed.

If you use credit, borrow only what you can repay and pay on time every month. A record of steady, on-time payments built over time does more than any quick fix.