Remove myself as auth user on almost maxxed out, but good standing and old account?

[Anonymous]

I have been an auth user on my soon to be ex-husband's discover account since 2007, and it's never been late, but it's also got 95% of the limit currently utilized (15.5k of 16k- it's our biggest account). It's not my oldest account, I have one on there from my Dad that shows since 1987 (though it doesn't seem like that one is factoring in because it says my average age of accounts is currently 6Y,11M?)  and a few from 2002-2008, plus a few revolving accounts that are approx 5 years old. I have 29k of credit card in my name only (I know...I know). 

I just checked my 3B scores and my credit is in the 680 range on all reports with no negatives aside from high debt utilization, too many accounts with balances, heavy use of credit. 

I want to remove myself as an auth user on this Discover account because the balance is so high and it's nearly maxxed out, but I'm really afraid to make any changes right now because I need to get approved for an apartment in 2 months and can't afford my credit going down unexpectedly. 

Thoughts? 

[DeeBee78]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I have been an auth user on my soon to be ex-husband's discover account since 2007, and it's never been late, but it's also got 95% of the limit currently utilized (15.5k of 16k- it's our biggest account). It's not my oldest account, I have one on there from my Dad that shows since 1987 (though it doesn't seem like that one is factoring in because it says my average age of accounts is currently 6Y,11M?)  and a few from 2002-2008, plus a few revolving accounts that are approx 5 years old. I have 29k of credit card in my name only (I know...I know). 

I just checked my 3B scores and my credit is in the 680 range on all reports with no negatives aside from high debt utilization, too many accounts with balances, heavy use of credit. 

I want to remove myself as an auth user on this Discover account because the balance is so high and it's nearly maxxed out, but I'm really afraid to make any changes right now because I need to get approved for an apartment in 2 months and can't afford my credit going down unexpectedly. 

Thoughts? 

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A 95% maxed out account isn't going to help you, no matter how old it is. Call Discover right now and ask them to be removed from the account. 

[mdd0214]

As a divorce attorney, in general I recommend that people cut all such financial ties with their ex. I can think of many reasons why you should not be connected in any way to a nearly maxed out credit card account, even if your divorce agreement makes sure he is responsible for the outstanding balance. As a credit card enthusiast, even though I'm no expert, I don't see how this account could possibly be helping you in the near future, regardless of the total CL (which is not helping utilization right now) or the age of the account (which will stay on your report for 10 years).

[-Cal-]

As a landlord, I don't care about your utilization. However, I do care about evictions, unpaid collections and a consistent pattern of recent late payments.

As a credit card hobbyist, I would ditch the high util account because it can be a blocker to most lenders. 

[HeavenOhio]

I believe that the AU account will drop from the OP's report immediately. But any AAoA hit will be minor compared to the benefit getting rid of the maxed out card and severing the financial tie with her soon-to-be ex. Of course, any scoring improvement will depend on the utilization on her other cards.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the perspective as a landlord. I have zero evictions, collections, late payments, and I do have a 15 year record of perfect rent payment history. Debt is really my only issue to tackle, thank goodness. 

I did wind up removing myself from the card last night. Fingers crossed for the results.....

[jamesdwi]

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@HeavenOhio wrote:

I believe that the AU account will drop from the OP's report immediately. But any AAoA hit will be minor compared to the benefit getting rid of the maxed out card and severing the financial tie with her soon-to-be ex. Of course, any scoring improvement will depend on the utilization on her other cards.

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Depends on the lender, the tradeline may stay on the report, but its status will change to :"Responsibility: Terminated" and the tradeline's balance and payments shouldn't be used in your score calculation.  

[Anonymous]

As someone who divorced someone who was absolutely horrible with his money (still is) and had our cards maxed out, you better believe I got myself off of them as soon as I possibly could. my scores went up significantly when I took myself off as AU and I got an apartment shortly after.