Legal Question in Family Law in New Mexico
In New Mexico state Divorce Law, can a divorce hold the other party responsible for medical bills accured by the other party?
Susan
Asked on 3/11/10, 5:08 pm
1 Answer from Attorneys
George Chandler
Chandler Law of Los Alamos
I guess you mean medical bills accrued before the divorce. Yes, such bills are community debts and are added in with all the community property and other debts to calculate a final settlement that assigns debts and assets to the parties.
Be aware: each person in a marriage can be held responsible by creditors for the whole debt. The court can make assignments of debts as between the marital partners, but the creditor can go after either of you for the whole thing, and the one who pays it must recover from the one to whom the court assigned the debt.
Seems unfair, no?
Answered on 3/16/10, 7:02 pm