Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in California

Hospital Bill - Death of Father

My father died. A hospital and ambulance bill was sent to his address in his name. Am I responsible for the bill? Is the estate responsible for the bill? Thank You for your time in answering my question.


Asked on 6/24/09, 10:17 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Nancy Lewellen Palladian Law Goup

Re: Hospital Bill - Death of Father

You do not mention if you are executor of the estate, or whether there was a will or trust with instructions in it. If you are the executor under the will or trustee under a trust, then you need to pay the bill from the funds of the estate, if his estate has any money in it. If there is real or personal property in the state ( a house, furnishings, jewelry, etc.), the hospital and ambulance company must be paid from that. If this is not done, they are entitled to put a lien on the property after getting a money judgment from a court.

If you divert funds from the estate to your own personal account without paying these bills, the hospital and/or ambulance company can likely come against you personally for the payment after going to court and getting a judgment.

Otherwise, you are not individually responsible for your father's bill.

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Answered on 6/25/09, 1:52 pm


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