STORM2K

My sister has a son who is 20 years old. He has not lived with her for three years. During that three years, he has gone to the emergency room and racked up a 900 dollar bill. When he went there he put the bill in my sisters name. Now they are calling my sister for payment and they say she is responsible for paying the bill. He has a job and has had one for 3 years. Does my sister owe the bill?

Any bills incurred before his 18th b day may be your sisters responsibility. Im not 100 percent sure though.

Did she have insurance during this time? If she did then the insurance will cover it even if he did not live with her. If she did not, she needs to go to the hospital to get this cleared up. If she has to pay then she needs to take his lame butt to small claims court to get her money back if he refuses to pay up.

Well, all 17 year olds need permission to do anything. Why did this hospital not seek permission to give him treatment? Why didn't they call her? He just walked in, got the treatment, and stuck her with the bill.

Im guessing...just a guess..that the bills were incurred after his 18th b day. In that case hes on his own. She needs to check the dates on the bills.

If the visits were before 18 yrs. old, mom is responsible, unless he is an
emancipated minor (courts allow him to be responsible for himself). If the
visits were after 18 yrs. of age, he is responsible for his bill.

~Annette~

I believe he went after he turned 18. The hospital tried telling her she is responsible for his bills until he is 21, according to Mississippi Law. I tried finding info on it and only found that kids can have sex at 16 in Mississippi.

Well if he went after he turned 18...i do not believe your sister was responsible. Thats the way it is here in VA..not sure how it is down there.

Try this link for help, Linda - maybe you can find it.

http://www.findlaw.com/?DCMP=KWC-G-HOME

Of course, I asked my neice who works in ER Fasttrack, and,
she's up on TN laws. I hope this link might help you.

~Annette~

Up here once your child turns 18 they are considered an adult and therefore on their own. They can only still be a part of your health insurance and car insurance if your child is a student and I think only until the age of 22.