Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Maryland
Our 22 year-old son has had serious health and some legal problems over the past year. Consequently he has amassed significant debt and though he is working hard to recover both physical and financial health, it is a very slow process. He is seeking additional employment and education, however he currently has a low-paying job for only 12-15 hours per week. He lives with us and is still our tax dependent. Currently we are providing room, board, and health insurance (through my husband's job). My question is this. If his health or other factors make it impossible for him to pay his credit card and other debts and/or if he amasses more, are we, his parents, legally responsible to cover debts he has acquired in his own name?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Unless you guaranteed the debt, normally, you are no responsible for your adult child's debts. If debt is overwhelming him and the creditors are harrassing him, he may want to following the path of Federated Department Stores, Delta, and Kmart and file for bankruptcy.