Am I Responsible for My Spouse's Medical Debt?

Chloe Meltzer | March 06, 2023

Generally, you are not responsible for the debts of your spouse, nor are you liable for their debts from before your marriage. Despite this being a general rule, when it comes to medical debts, sometimes state laws may require you to pay your spouse's medical debt. Today, we will discuss when this situation occurs and answer questions such as, is a wife responsible for the husband's medical bills?

Let's get to it.

When are you responsible for your spouse's medical debt?

If you live in a community property state, you are responsible for your spouse's medical debt incurred during the marriage. Community property states have a law which says that when two people get married, they become one unit—from a financial standpoint. This law means that any debt your spouse owes is also owed by you.

The following nine states are considered community property states:

• Arizona
• California
• Idaho
• Louisiana
• Nevada
• New Mexico
• Texas
• Washington
• Wisconsin

There are exceptions to the shared-medical debt rule from these states. They include medical debt incurred:

• Before you married your spouse, unless you signed a document agreeing to take responsibility.
• From a prior marriage.
• After you were permanently separated or divorced.
• During your marriage and your spouse failed to disclose to the medical institution that they were married.

Another reason you may be responsible is if you have signed a document that claims responsibility for medical payments. This situation often occurs if your spouse is admitted and requires a co-signer.

If you become a co-signer, you are responsible for the bills if your spouse does not pay them. This law applies in all states.

Let's consider an example.

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Don't turn your medical debt into credit card debt

Community debt is any debt you incur with your spouse while married, including any debt for which you are a co-signer with your spouse. Marriage brings all debts together, regardless of whose name it is under. This rule includes credit card debt and loans. So, converting your medical debt into credit card debt will not help the situation. .

Be prepared to pay your deceased spouse's medical debt

Three debt-related questions spouses often ask that we are about to answer are:

• If your spouse dies, are you responsible for their medical bills?
• Am I responsible for my husband's medical bills after his death?
• Am I responsible for my spouse's medical debt after death?

The death of a spouse is not only financially stressful, but it can be emotionally stressful as well. Generally, a spouse is not responsible for the medical and credit card debt or loans of their deceased partner, unless they are mutually owned. After your spouse dies, their medical debt will go through the probate process, and the estate pays them off. If the money is insufficient, debt collection agencies such as Estate Information Services may come after you to pay the remaining debt.

Three reasons you may need to pay off your deceased spouse's debt are:

1. You own the debt together: If you cosign a loan or are listed as the joint owner on a credit card, then you are legally responsible for the debt.
2. You live in a community property state: These laws state that any debt incurred during the marriage is transferred to the surviving spouse, even if they were only in the name of the deceased spouse.
3. State law requires you to pay: Some debts are required by law to be paid by the spouse, including medical debt. Let's look at the reason behind it.

Use SoloSuit to respond to debt collectors after a spouse dies.

Learn about the Doctrine of Necessaries

In most states, the Doctrine of Necessaries is another reason you are responsible for your spouse's medical debt. The Doctrine of Necessaries Rule requires a person to take responsibility for their children's, and sometimes spouse's, necessities of life, including medical care.

The rule applies to various expenses, such as utilities, rent, food, clothing, and any other life necessities. Some states repealed the Doctrine of Necessaries, meaning that creditors cannot use it to collect a debt from a non-debtor spouse. States that have repealed the Doctrine of Necessaries include:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arkansas
• Florida
• Georgia
• Idaho
• Maryland
• Michigan
• Mississippi
• Utah
• Vermont
• Washington

If you live in the other states, ensure you read the law on your spouse's medical debt to understand the requirement and how far a debt collector can pursue you for the debt.

Understand the history of the Doctrine of Necessaries

The original purpose of the doctrine was to support spouses and children to ensure access to the necessities of life. This included medical treatment and shelter. In modern times, this doctrine creates huge problems due to its gender-based bias.

In some cases, spouses have obtained a divorce to avoid the financial ruin that occurs with medical debt. What began as a law to protect the need for necessities has become outdated and controversial. Regardless, this does not help you when it comes to being sued for your spouse's medical debt.

File a response with SoloSuit and avoid financial ruin.

Fight the Doctrine of Necessaries in court

In two states, there have been instances of fighting the Doctrine of Necessaries. These cases found the doctrine unconstitutional for two reasons:

• Being a violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the US Constitution.
• Being a violation of equal protection (stating that it creates a gender-based classification not related to serving governmental interests).

It may be challenging to win in a state where the Doctrine of Necessaries is operational. However, you can respond to the debt collectors and get a 30–50% medical debt reduction when you negotiate a debt settlement with the collector. Most debt collectors are willing to settle for less than the original amount owed.

Recap of medical debts during marriage

When you get married, you agree to stay with your spouse in sickness and health. Hence, if your spouse incurs medical debts during marriage, you will be liable for that debt. Even after separation, you can be taken to court and held responsible for your spouse's debt.

In most states, you are liable for your spouse's medical bills even if it is only their name appearing on the record. Lastly, you can be sued for a debt if you are a cosigner in all states.

SoloSuit can help you deal with your spouse's medical debt

The first step to deal with your spouse's medical debt is to respond to your creditor when they first attempt to collect. Use our Debt Validation Letter, which requests them to verify the debt belongs to your spouse.

In situations where you cannot escape paying your spouse's medical debt, negotiating a debt settlement, or slowly paying it off over time, is the most favorable action. If you have been sued, use our Answer to respond and improve your chances of receiving a fair judgment. Once you've filed your initial response, you can use