Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Kentucky
death of a spouce
is a husband liable for the medical bills of his deceased spouce if his name was not on the account?
Asked on 7/06/07, 11:47 am
1 Answer from Attorneys
JOHN TATOIAN
LAW OFFICE OF JOHN A. TATOIAN ESQ.*Licensed Only in Massachusetts
Re: death of a spouce
I will assume the question involves Massachusetts residents and , thus, Massachusetts law. As such, pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 209, Section 9,contracts made by a married woman relative to her separate property [...] shall not bind her husband or render him or his property liable. As a caveat, generally speaking, both spouses are liable for necessaries furnished with their knowledge and consent, subject to certain statutory limitations. Thus, the question of liability depends on the nature of the debt (whether the debt was incurred for 'necessaries' or otherwise).
Answered on 7/06/07, 12:52 pm