Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in North Carolina
Being billed for medical debt that occured when I was a minor.
A debt collection agency has sent me three threating letters in the past week regarding a four year old medical bill. The debt occured when I was a minor, however it also concerns my daughter. My question is, am I responsible for the debt since I am the child's mother, or is my mother responsible since I was still a minor when it occured? Also, since it occured when I was a minor can the company leagally put the debt on my credit file? Any advice would be appreciated. I'm sick of getting letters threatening legal action.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Being billed for medical debt that occured when I was a minor.
That's a good question. In general, during minority (i.e. age 0-18), a person's medical bills are the responsibility of his or her parent. Therefore, bills for your medical treatment incurred when you were a minor are the responsibility of your parent(s). The only exception is if the treatment is a "necessity," and if your parent(s) cannot pay for it. So, the short answer to that part of your question is that you would not be responsible. Other issues are: (1) whether the medical bill is for your daughter's treatment, which would be your responsibility generally and (2) whether these claims are barred by the statute of limitations, which would seem to be three years. I do not know about the provider's ability to put the matter on your credit file.
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