Posted by gmharris [72.219.148.98] on Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at 21:27:08 :
In Reply to: Re: Considering posted by mannyc [173.77.217.68] on Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at 20:37:01 :
Negotiate with them. Don't go easy. If it's gone to collections, they may have only paid 10 cents on the dollar or less. Do some Google searches about unpaid medical bills and unpaid bills in general in California and the related statutes. I agree, you may have re-activated the statue of limitations on collections by paying, if they apply at all to you.
Get some free legal advice from legal aid or the like. or, gasp, pay for legal advice. It may be cheaper in the end. Don't acknowledge responsibility for anything.
There are attorney's who specialize in this stuff and an hour of paid consultation could save you a lot of money. Don't just accept the amount they say that you owe. How did that amount compound so much? Tell them you are getting divorced and are thinking about bankruptcy. That will make them think about negotiating.
I doubt your house was used as collateral for your wife's medical bills, especially without you knowing. Don't believe anything a bill collector says and you don't owe them any information, or even have to talk to them.
Make them prove everything. Are they in possession of the documents to prove their case, or are they just Bogarting you?
I have no sympathy for people who choose not to pay bills. But, sometimes stuff happens, as in your case, and you shouldn't be taken advantage of.
California is a very sympathetic state to the debtor. Maybe all a creditor can do is damage your credit. And, I suspect that is probably already in trouble. So, they are basically without options other than to manipulate your fear.
Lesson to everyone: Get your free credit report a least once annually.
Get some good advice. The fireman's union may have a resource for you.
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