Can a spouse be held liable for deceased spouses debt?

[concerned1977]

can you be held liable for your dead wife's medical bill?

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? va

my husband is a widower. at the time that his ex died they were separated. she's been dead now for a couple of years and I believe that a collection company is trying to collect one of her outstanding medical bills from when they were separated. can the company force my husband to pay for his ex's medical bill because they were married even though at the time she incurred it they were separated (but not divorced)?

thanks.

 

[concerned1977]

something else

I'm curious about something else. What if there is a separate collection account for a medical bill for his ex wife from when they were still together. Because they were married does that mean that her debts are also his debts? We're in the process of trying to fix his credit and pay off all of his outstanding bills and I don't want to have to pay his ex's debts in the process.

Thanks in advance for the advice.