Small claims court questions!

[Kiro]

Alrighty..

So, taking my ex-girlfriend to small claims court. Or gonna try! $2,000 medical bill in question, bitch won't pay up so.. meh.

A few questions:

Leaving the country with your name still on a lease?

Leaving the country with a bank account with $100+ in overdraft fees? $600 cellphone bill?

Can I even take her to small claims court if she's no longer in the country?

How the fuck does a medical bill end up in my name when I'M NOT THE PATIENT OR THERE TO SIGN THE PAPERWORK, rawr. Stupid medical system. I'm just looking for shit to pile onto this case so I can walk the fuck outta there. I have the money to pay for the bill, I just don't want to.

Anyway, any answers?

[Souj]

well, I can ask my grandpa the next time I see him. he was a judge so he would know. though You'll probably find an answer before the next time I talk to him.

[Kiro]

YAHOO ANSWERS BABY!

[Fhqwghads]

I don't think you can do much since she left the country. That medical bill though, tell them to piss the hell off. Unless you signed something stating you'd pay for it, they have no grounds to try to tap you for money on it. Someone putting your name on a piece of paper does not mean you're magically responsible.

[Headspace]

Was it that hot half-eskimo chick or whatever?

[fantasticdan]

Yeah you shouldn't need to go to court over the medical bill, just tell them straight up you didn't sign for anything and it's not your liability. The bank account and the cell phone bill are the same thing, if they were in her name and you didn't sign onto them, you shouldn't be liable.

[MisterBob]

I don't think you can do much since she left the country. That medical bill though, tell them to piss the hell off. Unless you signed something stating you'd pay for it, they have no grounds to try to tap you for money on it. Someone putting your name on a piece of paper does not mean you're magically responsible.

Be careful, hospitals are known historically for sending collection agencies after people for this. Resolve this issue ASAP or prepare to have your credit ruined regardless of whether or not its your fault

[SephYuyX]

Yeah you shouldn't need to go to court over the medical bill, just tell them straight up you didn't sign for anything and it's not your liability. The bank account and the cell phone bill are the same thing, if they were in her name and you didn't sign onto them, you shouldn't be liable.

This.


Also, it's fine if shes out of the country, doesnt matter. What does matter though is documentation of you trying to contact her and trying to settle this, the biggest thing includes that you have her new address or w/e she can be contacted where shes at now.

[Katlan]

I'd dispute the medical bill directly - if you didn't sign the forms then you arent responsible for anything... She prolly just filled out your info and signed it herself. If it's your signature, when you didn't sign it, have your bank pull up a file of your signature's to prove it wasn't you (from past receipts, checks, ect...). If you did sign the medical forms then your prolly SoL in being able to adequately dispute the charges since a signature makes you her dependent.

Don't think small claims court will do anything if she doesn't live in the U.S. anymore, you can't subpoena sombody outside of the country

[fantasticdan]

Be careful, hospitals are known historically for sending collection agencies after people for this. Resolve this issue ASAP or prepare to have your credit ruined regardless of whether or not its your fault

If they do send a collection agency after you, the agency will first send letters/phone calls saying "blah blah, if you don't pay up we're gonna fuck up your credit and sue you". Send them a certified letter saying the bills aren't yours, you have no intent to pay bills you don't owe, and to cease and desist unless they provide proof of debt. They than (should) have to comply and provide some type of proof before they touch your credit, or continue to harass you. Assuming you didn't sign onto any of the bills, they should just leave you alone at this point.

No reason not to just call the hospital and take care of it directly and immediately thou.

[Katlan]

If they do send a collection agency after you, the agency will first send letters/phone calls saying "blah blah, if you don't pay up we're gonna fuck up your credit and sue you". Send them a certified letter saying the bills aren't yours, you have no intent to pay bills you don't owe, and to cease and desist unless they provide proof of debt. They than (should) have to comply and provide some type of proof before they touch your credit, or continue to harass you. Assuming you didn't sign onto any of the bills, they should just leave you alone at this point.

Actually... collection agencies check to make sure there the claim is legit before going to collect on somebody. A lot of times companies will send you collection notice letters saying "blah blah blah - if you don't pay us we are gonna send your info to a collection agency," but these can also be false promises in an attempt to scare you to pay a debt they can not legally (and they know it) collect on.

A few months back there was this Optomitrist appt I had that I never went to and forgot to cancel... I never signed any form or anything (never filled out any info), I just made the appt over the phone (gave em my phone number and address) like any other. The office sent me letters for the next few months (about one letter every 2 weeks) saying that I owe em $110~ for the appt I missed (the cost of the eye examine) & if I don't pay em they will send a collection agency after me and that they don't want to go that route.

I ignored the notices knowing they couldn't do shit... they eventually sent me a letter saying if I don't pay in 10 days they will send my info to an agency... 3 weeks after that I get another notice saying this is my last chance to pay (rofl). So I call em up and told em "I canceled the appt & you forgot to mark it as such, there is nothing in writing and stop harassing me." I told that to the receptionist who said she would forward the msg to the office manager who would get back to me. The office manager never got back and the issue was dropped lol...

So I'd definantly dispute the medical bill directly first before trying anything else. Your situation sounds like mine... and they prolly are just hoping you will pay it cause they know they can't do anything to collect on you. There is nothing prohibiting them from harassing you via mail (notice they won't call your phone many times - that's harassment) until you tell em to stop doing so

[fantasticdan]

Actually... collection agencies check to make sure there the claim is legit before going to collect on somebody. A lot of times companies will send you collection notice letters saying "blah blah blah - if you don't pay us we are gonna send your info to a collection agency," but these can also be false promises in an attempt to scare you to pay a debt they can not legally (and they know it) collect on.

Yes they're supposed to, but they often don't. I've had a collection agency come after me with some non-legit debt from paypal, and my mom had some agency trying to get her to pay some of her brothers bills that she had no relation to, when he was in prison. In both instances, they dropped their case immediately after a cease and desist letter asking for proof of debt.