Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Montana

Am I responsible for a bill I did not sign?

I have been divorced for 14 years. My son's father took him to a dentist in 2000 and has not paid the bill. The collection agency just contacted me in August 2003, and wants me to pay the whole bill-$400 plus $100 in intrest, for a total of $500. I never signed anything as being the resposible person for the bill. I am willing to pay 1/2 of the original bill-$200 because it was for my son. Can I request that if I pay half they can not go after me for the other half plus the intrest. I checked on my credit report and it has never be reported against me. If I pay half can they report the other half against me? Also, if I pay my half can the credit agency go after me for any other bills my son's father has with them? Today I recived in the mail a letter from their attorney That said the same thing their

other letter said. Thank-you very much!!


Asked on 9/09/03, 9:38 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Phillip Oliver Oliver Law Firm, P.C.

Re: Am I responsible for a bill I did not sign?

If you have a parenting plan, or child support calculations, look to the plan to determine the percentage that you are obligated to pay. This is the amount that you are supposed to contribute. However, parents are responsible for these types of bills for their children. The collection agency will have to file suit against you in order to force you to pay. At that time, you can bring in your husband and the liability can be apportioned. If you don't bring in your husband, then you can sue him for the amount that you had to pay above the amount you were obligated to pay under the calculations.

To answer your other questions, you can negotiate with the collection agency for a deal that prevents them from coming back at you. That is up to them.

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Answered on 9/11/03, 12:38 pm


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