X husband's debts, bills coming to the house? am i responsible?

What is the name of your state? New Jersey

brief history: i moved out of the martial home 9/00, was awarded it in a default divorce agreement 8/01 & moved back 10/2001.

before i moved, (thinking i'd never be back!) i contacted (most) of the creditors/utilities, telling tehm i was not responsible for his bills/bills at that address. the yr my X lived there he rang bills up the wazoo and had most of the utilities shut off (amongst other things)

now that i am back in the house, unfortunately with my married name, i got one call (taken care of) and 2 collection letters.

Now, he apparently owes the water company (which turned off his water in 7/01) more money. i have told the collection agency to go after him, giving them his new address.

Q # 1 ) how much can they chase me, i can prove i wasn't in the house? (he will ignore the letters)
Q # 2) they have the married name spelled incorrectly. can i fight it saying i am not that person?

THANKS!!

[Ladynred]

That depends. Was your name on the account for the water bill ? I don't think you would be liable for it if your name wasn't on the account. Being married to someone doesn't automatically mean you're liable for the other's debts.. unless you live in a community property state.. NJ isn't

2 - probably not.. it may be a moot point if your name was never on the account to start with.

guess i should have said that, sorry. Yes the account was set up as J&M Lastname. The collection agency has the first names listed.

i had thought i took my name off that account..i found the letter i wrote to the water company, and no did not mail it CRRR. when i moved back to the house, i set up a new account, with no problems whatsoever.

thanks

[Ladynred]

Find out from the Water company if your name was ever removed per your request. If it was, and he ran up the bills afterwards, I think you can still fight it.

[nailtech]

some utilites use social security numbers as well as names.... so if they have your name wrong and not your number, its going to follow you.. just a matter of time until they catch it...