Re:Ask HN: As a caregiver how to achieve things
by theGnuMe on Saturday January 21, 2023 @10:05AM
(#34466865)
You do not have to get divorced to not pay a deceased spouse's bills or be responsible for them unless you signed that you would agree to be responsible and you don't have to sign that.
[ Parent
| on HN ]
Re:Ask HN: As a caregiver how to achieve things
by toast0 on Saturday January 21, 2023 @11:46AM
(#34467684)
That's going to depend on the state the debt is incured in. In states without community property, the spouse is probably not liable. In states with community property, it depends, some states will consider medical debt a personal debt and some consider it a community debt.
If this is something under serious consideration, it's worth a consulation with a subject matter expert and not just random internet people. Also, divorce may affect immigration status, which seems to be in play as well; and it may make visitation more difficult, although you might just not tell medical facilities about the divorce.