Collections wants me to pay 22yr old sons debts

[dreana]

What is the name of your state? TN

A few years ago my dr sent me a bill for my son who at the time was 19 and told me I was responsible for it. I told them to remove my name from his chart and that I would no longer pay his debts that he incurred there. I was told I "could not" remove myself as his guaranteror that he had to sign a paper removing me which of course he said he did. Now they are coming after me for hundreds of dollars worth of medical bills since he doesn't have insurance and isn't paying his bills. Yesterday once again I demanded that they remove him from off of me since he is now 22 years old. Once again I was told that unless "he" signs a paper removing me I am responsible. After arguing for several hours I finally talked to the office manager who told me that I could remove my son from off of my records but I would still be responsible for all of his current debts. When I asked if every parent who has a child turn 18 and continue to go to the same dr have to go through this I was told no and they weren't sure why I was having to go to this length to resolve it. I have asked repeatedly for them to remove him and they have failed to do so, he has asked in person while there for them to send the bills to them and let him be responsible and they are refusing still to take me off. What are my rights in regard to this?

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

What is the name of your state? TN

A few years ago my dr sent me a bill for my son who at the time was 19 and told me I was responsible for it. I told them to remove my name from his chart and that I would no longer pay his debts that he incurred there. I was told I "could not" remove myself as his guaranteror that he had to sign a paper removing me which of course he said he did. Now they are coming after me for hundreds of dollars worth of medical bills since he doesn't have insurance and isn't paying his bills. Yesterday once again I demanded that they remove him from off of me since he is now 22 years old. Once again I was told that unless "he" signs a paper removing me I am responsible. After arguing for several hours I finally talked to the office manager who told me that I could remove my son from off of my records but I would still be responsible for all of his current debts. When I asked if every parent who has a child turn 18 and continue to go to the same dr have to go through this I was told no and they weren't sure why I was having to go to this length to resolve it. I have asked repeatedly for them to remove him and they have failed to do so, he has asked in person while there for them to send the bills to them and let him be responsible and they are refusing still to take me off. What are my rights in regard to this?

My response:

As long as he goes to this doctor, you are the Guarantor. And, you certainly were at the time he incurred his previous bills. This has nothing to do with his age. The fact is, the doctor has your signature on the Guarantor line. You're on the hook.

IAAL

 

[Ladynred]

I guess the question is DID you ever sign anything at that Dr's office, for your son's care, that would make you guarantor for his bills ?? Parents are not normally repsonsible for the bills of their adult children, once he hit 18 it should have been HIS responsibility !

I'd send the Dr's office a letter asking for proof of whatever it is they have that makes YOU responsible.

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

I guess the question is DID you ever sign anything at that Dr's office, for your son's care, that would make you guarantor for his bills ?? Parents are not normally repsonsible for the bills of their adult children, once he hit 18 it should have been HIS responsibility !

I'd send the Dr's office a letter asking for proof of whatever it is they have that makes YOU responsible.

My response:

Ladynred, perhaps you're not quite understanding what a "Guarantor" is, and their liabilities.

First, being a Guarantor has nothing to do with being a "parent".

Second, being a Guarantor has nothing to do with "age".

I can sign a contract being YOUR Guarantor if I wanted to, and we are certainly not related, nor are you under the age of 18. In other words, anyone can be a Guarantor for anyone else. If I sign for you, and you don't pay, then I'm on the hook. This is the same thing as being a co-signer on a vehicle purchase contract.

IAAL

 

[Ladynred]

No, my dear Liable, I DO know what a Guarantor is and what it means.
However, if the people at the practice haven't a clue why the account is being handled this way, then I have to question whether or not someone is misinterpreting something or flat out making a mistake.

Until the OP responds as to whether or not she actually SIGNED something to be Guarantor, we won't know. I sure as hell wouldn't trust the word of a collection agency. I would be talking to the Practice Manager !