Well, if credit is so vital, shouldn't there be a simple checklist that divorcing women can use to be assured of covering some of the bases? First Wives World has one! Best of all, monitoring and managing your credit isn't so hard; it just requires some TLC.

Follow the tips below and you'll be well on your way toward optimum credit:

1. Familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations that govern lenders and affect consumers. In the U.S., there are several far-reaching regulations that provide consumers, borrowers and those applying for loans with specific rights.

2. Review your credit report at least once every three months. This is especially important if you're involved in a separation or divorce. The three major credit reporting agencies are required to provide you a free copy of your credit information each year upon your request.

If you order one now, another in six months, and one from the third agency in nine months, you'll get to review your report from three different perspectives. And you'll be ready to start the process all over again in a year just as you become eligible for another freebie!

There are lots of places offering free credit reports however all but one, charge various fees to get a "free report". For a free copy, go to www.annualcreditreport.com where you can get what you need at no cost.

As you register, click "no" to options that come at a cost unless you really feel you want them. This site is owned and operated collectively by the three major credit reporting agencies, and was established so that each could more easily meet the federally mandated requirement to provide consumers with their files when requested.

3. Dispute anything in your credit report that you disagree with. Even if you don't have proof, go ahead and dispute it. Simply use the online dispute form you're provided with by your credit bureau. The form lists all the accepted reasons for disputes. Within 30 days of notification to investigate, the credit reporting agency must remove or update what you've disputed. After the dispute closes, you will receive an update from the credit reporting agency showing the result.

4. Discuss your accounts with your attorney and provide him or her a photocopy of your credit file so they are aware of everything. Your attorney will guide you through closing joint accounts appropriately in your state. You have the right to close any revolving accounts that are in your name, but just calling the bank to close isn't always enough, especially if your ex is a "joint" cardholder on the accounts you want to close.

5. Immediately contact creditors when you see something on an account or reflected in a credit report that you don't understand. Seeing a newly opened account, or a recent "inquiry" that you're unaware of is a great example of what to look for. Another is a balance on an account that you thought was paid off.

6. As difficult as it might seem, try to cooperate with investigators. If you're a victim of credit fraud, file a police report. Family fraud is the number one source of credit fraud, and ex-husbands are perps as often as anybody else. If you've been hacked by your hubby, you need to file a report. If you do, he'll not attempt it again.

7. Read The Four Laws of Debt Free Prosperity by Blaine Harris and Charles Coonradt (ISBN 0-9652874-0-8). In it, you'll learn four simple principles that will help you better manage your finances, reduce your debt, and prosper. (It's actually a fun read and only 111 pages. Perfect!)

8. Keep a close eye on the FWW blog for more information related to managing you credit and finances. We've covered how to protect your credit a number of times!