Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in California
Medical Bills of Ex-Spouse
I was married in California then moved back to New York, the ex-husband was from California. The ex-husband wanted to seperate, we were seperated in New York with a Seperation Agreement signed by both parties, which later became a divorce. Ex-husband went back to California(after seperation agreement) had some medical treatment then never paid for service rendered, now the collection agency in California is putting hits on my credit for ex-husbands medical bills.
The collection agency is stating California law, stating until the divorce is final, I am still responcible for his medical treatment.
The question I have, because the seperation agreement and divorce were done in New York, shouldn't California be bound by it's terms?
Thank You,
--name removed--
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Medical Bills of Ex-Spouse
The short answer to your question is, yes. If the divorce was finalized in New York, then it should be finalized in California as well. This sounds like an unscrupulous collection company. I would suggest filing a claim with the Federal Trade Commission if your credit is in any way harmed by this, as well as the consumer affairs department of your local jurisdiction.
Re: Medical Bills of Ex-Spouse
Caveat: I don't practice family law. If you had a divorce decree entered in NY before your ex- incurred the medical bills, you are not responsible for them. You should send a copy of the divorce decree to the creditor and tell them to leave you alone and clean your credit report. You can also dispute the charges in writing with all three credit reporting agencies. Often collectors will make their own fuzzy interpretation of existing law to try to get someone to pay overnight. Tell them never to call you again, and they'd have to stop.
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