I settled and wrote-off a major debt. This was recorded as 1099-E income. I incurred all of this debt under my name only, and she was not my spouse at the time I got into the debt. She was my spouse when I settled the debt.
The write-off income was able to be cancelled under a federal program, due to our total balances of finances.
Does my spouse have exposure?
Does the matter remain on her record in any way, or impact her credit?
She has excellent credit now, and we would like to keep it that way.
Overall we want to understand possible future impacts for a joint filing.
( Our accountant doesn't know the range of potentials here, I think, as they avoid answering the question. I know that is not a good trust relationship, and it certainly will weigh into our choices of a CPA next year. )