If I plan on marrying my girlfriend and she has credit card debt and student loan debt will that affect my credit? Anyone have any credit protection ideas for me.

Here is her debt:

Capital One CRedit Card $8,900
Northwest Visa $2,000
Best Buy Credit Card $1,400
Student Loans $59,000 undergrad
Student Loans $210,000 dental school - anticipated graduation 2010

Her anticipated annual starting salary is about $85k. So after taxes it would take her 5-6 years to make a dent in her liability. I dont want her liability affecting my income or my career.

I'm anticipating about $130,000 in law school debt, myself.

No. Not exactly. the credit card debt remains to be the spouses as long as only one name is on the acccount. If you own a home together, or similar assets, half that home is subject to a debt collector's law suit and lienable, while the other half is not. So, in one respect the debt stays with the person, in another, it can become yours.

Your girlfriend's debt may mean she also has poor credit. In that case, you'll be affected if you sign up for joint accounts or if you try to make a large purchase that requires a loan. So if you want to buy a house after you get married, and you apply for a mortgage, the debt-to-income ratios and credit scores are factors they consider determining the loan amount and interest rate. If her credit is that bad, you may not want her on the loan app, but at the same time, you also may not be able to qualify for the loan with your income alone. You could always consider renting.