Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Virginia
My girlfriend died a few months ago on her hospital bed, and now the hospital is coming after her parents with a $60,000 bill. Are they legally held accountable to pay that bill? Here is some background information: She was 26, had her own health coverage through her employer, has no next of kin, and came down with a serious infection. She was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, and died there 2 days later. Her health insurance paid a small portion of that bill, and now her parents are asked to pay the remainder. Is it required by law for them to pay back the hospital? Or is the remainder not forfeited and forgiven in the event of death? Would the hospital send debt collectors to recoup their losses? I understand it if they go after my girlfriend's assets and property, but can they go after her parents' belongings or damage their credit? She was an adult, so I'm assuming anything financially related should end with her upon death. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Thanks deeply for any insight you may have on this matter. Her family has suffered enough, and I don't want them to have to pay this tremendous amount if they don't have to.
Respectfully,
Vien Nguyen
2 Answers from Attorneys
They are not liable. Her estate is - but that's limited to her assets, not those of her family.
I am sorry for your loss.
No, they are not liable, unless they signed a contract assuming such.
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