Divorce leaving me with no credit, need advice

[Anonymous]

My husband is divorcing me and I have 3 kids. As part of a very emotionally abusive and controlling relationship, he never let me have my name on the mortgage to our house. My credit score is only 612, and I am worried that it will go down after the divorce because of mutual accounts. I am also concerned that I will not be able to buy a house without an established mortgage history even though we have one for 10 years. Is there anyone who can give me advice on how to help my credit score? Would it help if he was forced to quitclaim me on the house? Thank you

[FrugalRican]

I don't understand how not having a mortgage history is going to hurt you in getting a loan. Everyone starts somewhere.

What's your credit history?
Cards? Where'd you get 612 from?

[K_J]

I dont think you need to have established mortgage history to buy a house. first do you have your own income? and what  derogs do you think is on your CR file. you need to pull your freeannual credit report to see what's on it. Do you have CC's and what accounts are you on? I 'm not an expert but more information will be needed to offer better help.

[K_J]

Frugal,

your faster to it

[Anonymous]

I pulled my credit and the 612 was my fico score. I have 3 charged off accounts, thus the low score. Most everything else is paying as agreed. I though that I read somewhere that having the mortgage on your credit will increase your fico score. Thank you

[FrugalRican]

Having a mortgage with positive payments will help you, but you can get a mortgage even without a past mortgage... that's how most people do it ;-)

Do you have revolving credit lines (AKA Credit Cards)?

And maybe you could list the three charged off accounts here to see if anyone could help you out with what to do next with them.

[K_J]

when were the charge-off's and how much, who is the account with , people here can help and no situation is beyond repair.

[Anonymous]

Charged off accounts: Citibank agreed to half Chase agreed to half Nordstrom sent to collections and I haven't settled yet. I have a bank credit card that will go away with the divorce and a few others. I have a few very small store accounts that I don't use but are still open. Thank you

[Anonymous]

The charge offs were last year I guess both chase cards. One was $7000 and the other was $5300. The nordstrom account was $ 2800

[K_J]

Was the negotiation a PFD with Citibank and Chase? If not call and negotiate with them and explain your situation. If you could get them to PFD it should help your score. Also, do you have personal CC apart from the store cards? You mentioned he was controlling, did he allow you to work? Self employed or W2?  If you are self employed you will need average of two years of income to qualify for a mortgage.