Final answer:
Both spouses are liable for debts before or during marriage, and they can protect themselves by maintaining separate accounts.
Step-by-step explanation:
Both spouses are liable for debts before or during marriage, and they can protect themselves by maintaining separate accounts. This means that each spouse is responsible for their own debts and creditors cannot go after the other spouse's separate property or income to satisfy a debt. However, it's important to note that joint accounts or co-signed loans can still make both spouses responsible for a debt.