Legal Question in Family Law in Nebraska

Financial responsibility for Ex's legal bills after legal separation.

Legally separated in California in September of 1999. Court did not require that I pay spouse's medical bills. Divorced in July 2001 with medical insurance carried till December 31, 2002 when divorce was final. Am I liable for ex wife's medical bill from November of 2002. Ex wife did not submit bill to insurance. Collection company is calling me in California from Nebraska.


Asked on 2/22/03, 6:22 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

E. Daniel Bors Jr. Attorney & Counselor At Law

Re: Financial responsibility for Ex's legal bills after legal separation.

Dear Inquirer:

Nothing herein shall create an attorney-client relationship, unless a written retainer agreement is executed by the attorney and client. This communication contains general information only. Nothing herein shall constitute an attorney-client communication nor legal advice. There likely are deadlines and time-limits associated with your case; you should contact an attorney of your choice for legal advice specific to your personal situation, at once.

If you haven't already done so, please visit my

web site at --

http://www.CaliforniaDivorceAttorney.com

The site contains quite a bit of general information about California Family Law, Tenants' Rights, and Juvenile Dependencies, as well as information about me (education, experience, et cetera) and my office (location, hours, fees, policies).

NOW, IN RESPONSE TO YOUR INQUIRY --

Normally any bills incurred by a party after date of separation are his or her sole responsibility UNLESS the agreement with the creditor is otherwise. Although the family court can order your ex-spouse to pay certain bills, that order does NOT change your relationship with the creditor. If you were the responsible party (alone or jointly with your ex-spouse) at the time that the debt was incurred, you still are.

Thanks for sharing your interesting inquiry with us on LawGuru, and good luck with your case.

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Answered on 3/12/03, 5:25 pm
Matthew Kremer Law Offices of Matthew M. Kremer

Re: Financial responsibility for Ex's legal bills after legal separation.

You are not responsible for her med bills after the divorce, assuming the bills were incurred by her after the separation and/or entry of judgment. Tell the collection agency that you stopped living with her on (date) and the final decree was entered on (date). If they still persist, send them a certified letter directing them to cease contacting you. That will require them to sue you (you'd win) or drop it. Keep on eye on your credit report though; if they list it as a "charge off", complain.

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Answered on 2/24/03, 1:40 pm


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