Can I be held responsible for my ex-wife’s utility bill?
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Can I be held responsible for my ex-wife’s utility bill?
our local gas company is refusing to turn on our gas until the bill that is in my ex-wife’s name is paid off. She had put me on the account so that I could call if I ever needed too. The bill is more than 3 years old and I have had services with them in my name since and had no problems. In our divorce decree it states that the name on the bill is the personal responsible. Its in her name so can they hold me responsible for it?
Asked on September 15, 2011 under General Practice, Indiana
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
I am so sorry for your problems. Here is the issue: the gas company was not a party to your divorce and is not bound by the contract that you and your wife entered in to or the orders of the court about debt. I guess what happened is that once you put your name on the bill as a contact person to speak with them they assumed you were married and attached her bill to the account in your name. Now you are going to have to fight an up hill battle. You are going to have to sue her based upon the divorce decree and to either pay the bill and be reimbursed (you should be able to obtain a judgement and hopefully collect on it) or just request that she comply (but your gas service may be cut off). It is not an easy choice. Good luck.
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