(NewsNation) — Divorce produces multiple personal, emotional and financial challenges.

How divorce can impact credit ratings can often be an afterthought but can change credit in multiple ways.

Most married couples hold joint bank accounts. If one side were to default on payments, it would affect the other.

Additionally, if newer debts were added from a party, it would impact the other spouse. Only one person being an authorized user of the account can complicate matters.

Closing a joint credit card account can also downgrade your credit score, but in some cases, it can have minimal effect.

According to Graziano & Flynn attorneys, obligations to lenders must be handled to avoid affecting one’s credit score.

Graziano & Flynn warn that bitterness from one spouse can lead to intentionally accruing debt before the dissolution of marriage, thus negatively impacting the other’s credit score.

Chase Bank recommends resolving joint debts by subsequently paying them off as a means of resolving any credit score implications. Avoiding late or unpaid payments is critical to achieving this.