This would lead one spouse to be on the hook for the other’s medical expenses. Marital debts: In some states, called community property states, debts incurred by one spouse during marriage are equally owned. If you cosigned with your parents for any expense, this now is your responsibility. When you may be liable to payĬosigner: If the debt wasn’t only taken in the deceased’s name, the other cosigner might be required to pay. However, there are some instances where you might be required to pay for these medical bills. When the estate closes, the deceased person’s debts are typically wiped out if they haven’t been paid. In most cases, children and other relatives are not responsible for paying these debts.Īs mentioned, this responsibility falls on the estate. For things like credit card debt after a death, the estate pays these last. In most states, medical debts take precedence over other types of debt. Other creditors will only get a partial payment or no payment. Payments are prioritized based on federal and state laws that say which creditors the estate is required to pay first. This means the deceased person left insufficient assets and cash to pay for all of his or her debt.įirst, liquid cash and other assets go towards the payment of these medical bills. If the deceased person’s total debt exceeds the value of the assets in the estate, this is an insolvent estate. That means the executor of the estate, usually an adult child or partner of the deceased, will use the estate to pay these bills.
If medical debt still exists at the time of death, it falls primarily on the estate. How do you know who’s responsible for paying, especially if money is already tight? In this guide, we’ll answer the question of who is responsible for your parent’s medical bills so you know your options. No matter your financial situation, this places a burden on families. Whether your parents were in a nursing home, hospice, or other care facility, these costs can be extreme. What Happens If You Can’t Afford to Pay If You’re Liable?.However, for many, you also need to consider who’s responsible for these medical bills. This difficult time should be all about grieving your loss and arranging a funeral. When an older adult was the recipient of medical care, this adds another challenge into the mix. Losing a parent is one of the most challenging things to experience in life.
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