Legal Question in Family Law in California

You need to consult a family law attorney about this as soon as possible. Your decision to pay your late daughter's medical bills could be viewed as a gift to her rather than your legal assumption of responsibilities that technically should have been the responsibilities of your late daughter's spouse. You did not indicate if your daughter was still living with her husband when you paid her medical expenses or if she was separated from him. This is a factor in determining if your payments should be treated as a gift or as a debt against the husband who may not have formally contracted with you to make these payments on his behalf.

If you and your daughter had a written understanding that you were paying her medical bills and she would repay these funds to you, the question is whether you are able to recover these funds from her share of the marital estate.

None of this is very easy so I hope you now realize why it is important to consult with a family law attorney about this matter as soon as possible.

Also, my condolences on the death of your daughter. Your choosing to care for her even when her spouse would not shows the depth of your compassion and concern for your child.