Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in North Carolina

My niece who is 18 and living away from home to attend college just received a collection agency notice for medical expenses incurred when she was still 18 and living at home with her parents. Apparently, after her insurance paid the portion due from them, the parents didn't pay their portion. Now they've given the collection agency their daughter's address. They've told her that they can't pay and she must. Is she obligated to pay these expenses? The expenses were incurred in North Carolina, and the niece now lives in California.


Asked on 7/29/10, 3:13 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Rachel Hunter

I cannot discuss your niece's legal problems with you for ethical reasons. She is an adult and capable of handling her affairs. Generally, when an adult goes to the hospital and gets treatment, they are required to sign a consent to treatment and promise to pay for services even if insurance does not pay. While your niece may have been insured, she is a legal adult and is responsible for the portion not covered by insurance. She has no right to demand that her parents pay the bill.

She needs to contact the company and work out a resolution. Before she pays a dime, she needs to get it in writing first.

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Answered on 8/03/10, 9:40 pm


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