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Is someone dies is the surviving spouse responsible for unpaid medical bills?

Is someone dies is the surviving spouse responsible for unpaid medical bills?

Q: Do I have to pay my deceased husband's medical bills in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, you are generally not responsible for your deceased husband's medical bills unless you were a cosigner or the debt was incurred jointly. The deceased's estate is usually responsible for settling any outstanding debts, including medical bills, before distributing assets to heirs.

Q: Can I be forced to pay my spouse's debt?

You cannot typically be forced to pay your spouse's individual debts unless you are a cosigner or guarantor. In Tennessee, each spouse is responsible for their own debts unless they have agreed to share responsibility for specific accounts or debts.

Q: Am I responsible for my spouse's credit card debt after death?

In Tennessee, you are generally not responsible for your spouse's credit card debt after their death unless you were a joint account holder or cosigner. The deceased's estate is responsible for paying off debts before any assets are distributed to heirs.

Q: Is a spouse responsible for a deceased husband's medical bills?

A spouse is usually not responsible for a deceased husband's medical bills unless they were jointly incurred or the spouse was a cosigner. In Tennessee, the estate of the deceased is responsible for settling medical debts, not the surviving spouse.

Full question:

Under Tennessee law,when a person dies, is the surviving spouse held responsible for the deceased persons hospital bills?

Category: Debts and Credit
Date: 04/07/2025
State: Tennessee

Answer:

Generally, a spouse is not liable for the debts of the other as long as it is an individual account, the spouse running up the debt is not an authorized user, surety, guarantor, or cosignor, and the couple does not live in a community property state. However, even in a community property state the assets of the spouse not running up the debt could be at risk. For example, in cases involving, among others, bankruptcy, divorce, or other litigation, creditors may go after assets held jointly by the debtor and non-debtor spouse, such as a bank account in both their names. If your spouse agrees to pay off a joint credit card debt but does not, the bank may successfully sue you for that debt. However, state laws vary about which marriage partner is responsible for certain debts, depending upon when the debt was incurred, the identity of the debtor, or the purpose of the debt.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

Am I liable for my spouse's medical bills?

In general, you are not liable for your spouse's individual medical bills unless you are a cosigner or guarantor on the account. Each spouse is typically responsible for their own debts. However, if the debt was incurred jointly or if you live in a community property state, you may have some liability. It's important to review the specific circumstances of the debt.

Am I legally responsible for my husband's medical bills?

Typically, you are not legally responsible for your husband's medical bills unless you are a cosigner or if the bills were incurred jointly. In Tennessee, individual debts are generally the responsibility of the person who incurred them. If you have questions about specific situations, consulting with a legal professional is advisable.