credit ratings

Well, maybe I have a similar situation. I was married at age 17 and divorced at 19. I am now happily remarried and I have TERRIBLE credit, because, my ex won't pay for the items that he got to keep. We had a house, vehicle and some utilities in both our names. He wanted the house so I let him have it and to this day, he is late on most payments. And, it goes on MY credit regardless of whether or not I have it. So, I too, have bad credit but I live in a small area and have a local bank where I have unlimited access to signature loans because they know my situation first hand. My advice to all is to KEEP GOOD CREDIT. This time has got to where if you don't have good credit, you can't survive. I had to have a credit check just to have our electricity turned on!