Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Utah

Are adults legally responsible for debts incurred as a minor

When my stepdaughter was 17, she incurred over $8000 in medical expenses to have her baby at a hospital in Utah. The hospital received a pre-authorization from her father's insurance before she was admitted. Subsequently, the insurance denied the claim. My stepdaughter is now 20, and the hospital has filed suit against her in court for payment. My stepdaughter's stance is that since she was a minor at the time, she couldn't legally enter into a contract with the hospital and therefore cannot be held responsible. The hospital maintains that medical costs are an exception, and she can be held responsible. Who is correct?


Asked on 10/28/03, 2:53 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Richard Teitell Richard K. Teitell, Esquire, P.C.

Re: Are adults legally responsible for debts incurred as a minor

This is a question of state law. Your question infers that the hospital is in Utah. If that is correct Utah law would control. Being a PA atty I do not know the law in Utah. Perhaps you can ask the hosp atty for a citation to the law under which the hospital claims that a minor can contract for medical services. Another issue is why the insurer did not pay. If the hosp is in PA, e-mail me & will attempt to provide an answer. In the meantime, your stepdaughter needs to hire a lawyer to enter an appearance & prepare an answer so that a default judgment is not entered against her.

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Answered on 10/28/03, 4:38 pm


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