Question
Can I file for bankruptcy if I cannot afford my dad's medical bills anymore?
My dad is collecting disability benefits, but it is not enough to pay for the medical bills or insurance. I have been helping him out for years, but it has become too much for me. I need to file for bankruptcy to cover these bills for him. Will his credit score be affected? Do I have other options?LawQA.com Answer Library
Answered By: Eric J. Benzer, Attorney at Law
Hire lawyer immediately.
Answer Applies to: Maryland
Replied: 10/13/2011
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Answer Applies to: Maryland
Replied: 10/13/2011
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Answered By: AZ Law Group of Trezza & Associates
You mean to say he needs to file right? Its probably a good option for him.
Answer Applies to: Arizona
Replied: 10/12/2011
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Answer Applies to: Arizona
Replied: 10/12/2011
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Answered By: Janet A. Lawson Bankruptcy Attorney
Your bankruptcy will not affect him. He can file his own bankruptcy and be done with the current bills. If he is on disability why worry about his credit score. He can't get a loan now.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/11/2011
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Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/11/2011
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Answered By: Robert Peters, P.A.
Your dad can file a bankrutpcy for the medical bills but your dad would still be liable for post bankruptcy bills. You need to get in to see a bankruptcy attorney ASAP.
Answer Applies to: Florida
Replied: 10/11/2011
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Answer Applies to: Florida
Replied: 10/11/2011
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Answered By: The Law Office of Darren Aronow, PC
If the medical bills are his obligation, then he would have to file bankruptcy. It will not effect his disability benefits and his credit will improve shortly after he receives his bankruptcy discharge.
Answer Applies to: New York
Replied: 10/11/2011
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Answer Applies to: New York
Replied: 10/11/2011
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Answered By: Littleton Bankruptcy Attorney
You can only file bankruptcy on your father's medical bills if you are liable on them-If they are his bills, in his name, you are not liable-It sounds like your father needs to file, not you
Answer Applies to: Colorado
Replied: 10/11/2011
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Answer Applies to: Colorado
Replied: 10/11/2011
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Answered By: Guardian Law Group PLLC
You filing for Bankruptcy will do nothing for your fathers medical bills. He needs to file, not you. You are not liable for his medical bills, although admirable that you are helping him he is the one that liable, so he needs to file for Bankruptcy. Yes his credit will be affected, but medical bills are a very common reason for filing for Bankruptcy.
Answer Applies to: Utah
Replied: 10/11/2011
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Answer Applies to: Utah
Replied: 10/11/2011
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Answered By: Law Office of Lynnmarie A. Johnson
Your dad can file bankruptcy, or you can do it for him if you have his power of attorney or are his guardian/conservator. It will negatively impact his credit score, but if he is on disability and already has a bunch of medical bills in collection, it is probably already trashed. The other option, is he even collectible? If he is only getting Social Security Disability and has no assets, say other than a car and a home with a mortgage, what are they going to take? You should see an attorney and see what your dad's options really are! Good luck!
Answer Applies to: Michigan
Replied: 10/11/2011
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Answer Applies to: Michigan
Replied: 10/11/2011
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Answered By: Ashman Law Office
Your post doesn't make any sense. Unless you cosigned his bills you are not liable for them. He may need to file.
Answer Applies to: Georgia
Replied: 10/10/2011
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Answer Applies to: Georgia
Replied: 10/10/2011
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Answered By: Carballo Law Offices
If the medical bills belong to your father then shouldn't he be the one filing for bankrutpcy? He should not file a bankrutpcy case until the bills stop coming since you can only file Chapter 7 every 8 years. Your father may be judgment proof now (nothing the creditors can take from him anyway) so bankruptcy may not even be necessary, particularly if more medical bills are expected. Why would his credit score be of concern if he cannot even afford the medical bills? Yes, his credit score will be affected if he now has good credit. Having good credit is not something that people with large debts should worry about.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/10/2011
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Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/10/2011
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Answered By: Bankruptcy Law office of Bill Rubendall
A common reason for filing bankruptcy is owing medical bills. You should consult with an attorney to discuss whether this is advisable.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/10/2011
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Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/10/2011
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Answered By: Heupel Law
If it is his medical debt, then he needs to file bankruptcy, not you. His credit score will drop at least 60 points after filing, but he can recover within two years. Your other option to settle the debt, but not likely given your father's income, and thus, bankruptcy will most likely be his best solution.
Answer Applies to: Colorado
Replied: 10/10/2011
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Answer Applies to: Colorado
Replied: 10/10/2011
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Answered By: Foster Law Group
Yes, you can file bankruptcy on medical debts. Yes, filing bankruptcy will absolutely affect his credit score.
Answer Applies to: Colorado
Replied: 10/10/2011
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Answer Applies to: Colorado
Replied: 10/10/2011
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Answered By: Law Office of Harry L Styron
You cannot discharge your father's medical bills by filing your own bankruptcy. He will continue to owe the bills unless he files his own bankruptcy.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/10/2011
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Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/10/2011
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Answered By: Law Office of L. Paul Zahn
You filing for bankruptcy doesn't wipe out his debt. If they are his bills and he can't pay them, then he should consider bankruptcy. If you need to file, then it won't eliminate his obligation even if you are also obligated to pay on these bills.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/10/2011
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Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/10/2011
Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.
Answered By: Charles Schneider, P.C.
He has to file bankruptcy for his bills if they are not yours.
Answer Applies to: Michigan
Replied: 10/10/2011
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Answer Applies to: Michigan
Replied: 10/10/2011
Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.
Answered By: Law Office of Asaph Abrams
We'll take this to mean your dad would be filing and you'd be assisting him. The almighty credit score is a nefarious thing. Persons may boast a high score, while still carrying an insurmountable of debt they'll never pay off. It's artificial. Once one's crumbled and can no longer repay, the score drops. Its zeroing out in bankruptcy permits the score to rise.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/10/2011
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Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/10/2011
Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.
Answered By: Law Office of Xochitl Anita Quezada
When you file for bankruptcy, it will only affect your credit not his. You can only include your bills in your bankruptcy, not his.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/10/2011
Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/10/2011
Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.
Answered By: Bankruptcy Law Center
Why do you need to file bankruptcy? Your bankruptcy will not discharge your father's debts.
Answer Applies to: Colorado
Replied: 10/10/2011
Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.
Answer Applies to: Colorado
Replied: 10/10/2011
Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.
Answered By: Law Offices of Joseph A. Mannis
If you file bankruptcy it will wipe out your debt, not his. So whose debts are these, are they in your name or his name? If they're not in your name, you filing a bankruptcy won't help much.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/10/2011
Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/10/2011
Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.
Answered By: Harkess and Salter, LLC
Generally, you are not legally responsible for your father's medical bills. In order to discharge them in bankruptcy he would need to file and that would affect his credit score.
Answer Applies to: Colorado
Replied: 10/10/2011
Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.
Answer Applies to: Colorado
Replied: 10/10/2011
Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.
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