Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Arizona
Signature
The ex wife filled out medical for my 20 year old daughter. She put me done as the responsible person and signed my name to the forms. She put her address on the form. The medical center sent her bills for services that were never paid. I have never received a bill. A collection agency called and wants me to pay them. I did not know about the bills, I did not sign the forms and the daughter is of legal age. Other than the fact of wanting to help my daughter am I bound to pay the costs?
This is not the first time the ex wife has done this. She has done this twice before. What can I do to stop her?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Signature
You have no legal obligation to pay your adult daughter's medical bills unless your divorce decree addressed that issue. If your daughter is still a student, she may qualify under your health insurance plan as a dependent for coverage.
You need to write the debt collector and explain that you did not sign the documents and your daughter is an adult. the collection agency has probably put this on your credit report and you need to get a copy of your credit report from the three major credit reporting agencies. go to ftc.gov to be directed to obtain free copies of your reports.
How you deal with your daughter's medical bill depends on the amount involved and the nature of the illness (chronic, terminal, etc.).
If the debt collector misrepresents anything, you will have a cause of action under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. If the item is placed on your credit report, you will have a cause of action under the Fair Credit Reporting Act after you send your dispute letters.
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