Question about minor's liability for a debt upon coming of age

[blandrigan]

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

Hi and thanks, My daughter had a medical test performed in 2000 when she was 16 and covered under my insurance. Last week she was contacted by a collections agency about a different medical bill she currently owes and during that call she was informed that the bill from the 2000 test had been placed with that collection agency 7 years ago and was still outstanding. The CA says she is liable for that old bill now that she is an adult. Is this true? I would have thought I was liable then and would still be liable now, even though she has passed the age of 18, because she was a minor at the time of the service. Thank you.

 

[ecmst12]

Since she received the service, she is a liable party. Since she was a minor at the time and you were the responsible party, you are likely ALSO liable. They don't care who pays them, so long as they get paid.

 

[Zigner]

The bill from 2000 is beyond the statute of limitations.

 

[seniorjudge]

The bill from 2000 is beyond the statute of limitations.

Which means the debtor must allege that...it is an affirmative defense.

Google.

 

[Zigner]

Which means the debtor must allege that...it is an affirmative defense.

Google.

Yes, absolutely.

 

[seniorjudge]

Yes, absolutely.

AND if the child is responsible for the debt, the SOL may not have started running until she was 18 years of age.

 

[ecmst12]

Even if that's the case, it's still probably expired. But that doesn't mean that the hospital (or the collection agency) can't ask for payment.