Is a separated spouse responsible for medical bills?

Is a separated spouse responsible for medical bills?

If your spouse incurs medical debts during marriage, you will be liable for that debt. You can even be separated and brought to court as liable for the debts of your spouse. In most states, regardless of if the medical bills are in the name of your spouse only, you will be liable.

Are you responsible for your spouse debt after separation?

The general rule in California is that a spouse ceases to be responsible for any debts incurred by the other spouse once they have separated.

Can I be held accountable for my husband’s debts?

Generally, one is only liable for their spouse’s debts if the obligation is in both names. But, unless both the husband and the wife are on the credit card account (even if only as a co-signer), one spouse will not be held liable for the obligation of the other on that account.

Can you sue your spouse for not paying bills?

If an abusive partner (to whom you are not married) failed to re-pay money that you lent to him/her or failed to make credit card or loan payments that s/he agreed to, you may be able to take the abuser to small claims court to sue for that money.

Who is responsible for bills when separated?

If you have separated, it is important to agree who will be paying the bills. If you are remaining in the family home, then it might be appropriate for the bills to be transferred into your name. You can, however, still ask your former partner to help with the payments.

Can your spouse’s medical bills affect your credit?

Medical bills will not affect your credit as long as you pay them. However, medical debt is handled a little differently than other types of consumer debt. Since most health care providers don’t report to credit bureaus, your debt would have to be sold to a collection agency before appearing on your credit report.

Who is responsible for paying spouse’s medical bills?

Generally in community property states, debt incurred by a spouse for the benefit of the family is considered a “community” debt, and therefore the spouse is responsible for repaying that debt. Does medical debt benefit the community? At first glance, no it does not.

Can a spouse refuse to be responsible for medical debts?

One spouse in a marriage may believe that they will not have to be responsible for medical debts incurred by the other spouse. By refusing to be made a responsible party to the other spouse’s medical debts, at first glance, this may hold true.

Is the surviving spouse liable for medical bills?

This means, the surviving spouse, although indirectly could be affected financially. While the general rule is that one spouse is not liable for the other spouses’ medical bills, there are indeed exceptions that would make the other spouse responsible for payment.

Can a spouse co sign for a medical bill?

Even if you don’t live in one of these states, you still may co-sign for a doctor’s bill. If you do, then you are obligated to pay it. There are many cases where the spouse is obligated to pay the medical bill of a deceased loved one.