What to do if I am being taken to court for my daughter’s medicle bills?
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What to do if I am being taken to court for my daughter’s medicle bills?
I was contacted today by someone who told me they are going to garnish our wages. We don’t make have very much income. We don’t know what to do.
Asked on May 2, 2012 under Bankruptcy Law, Alabama
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
If your daughter was a minor when she received the medical treatment, or if she were an adult but you made yourself responsible for her bills in some way (e.g. she was on your insurance plan; you signed a document at the hospital stating you would take responsibility for her bills; etc.), then you are liable for these bills. The medical care provider or their collections agency can sue you if you do not pay (or work out some payment plan with them that they find acceptable); and if you are sued and lose, one way they can secure payment is to garnish your wages.
If your daughter was an adult, had either her own insurance or no insurance, and you did not sign anything agreeing to take responsibility for her bills, then you should not be liable. A person does not become liable for another adult's obligations or costs simply because they are parent-child.
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