Q: Will a non-filing spouse be held liable for a spouse's medical debts in a Chapter 7? (In Colorado)
Are medical debts dischargeable in a Chapter 7 if they are only under the filing party's name? If the filing party is married, will the non-filing spouse be held liable for a spouse's medical debts in a Chapter 7? (In Colorado)
A: Medical debts are dischargeable and non filing spouse will not be liable for them unless she signed agreeing to be responsible.
A: I have seen an order dismissing a case where a spouse was sued under the family purpose doctrine for medical debt. However, I also recall that there's a state court judge who has held that a spouse can be liable for medical debts. There's not a lot of case law either way, so you should expect to have to fight it.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
