Should the ex-wife pay?

Question

I'll try to keep this story short and sweet.

My husband's previous marriage lasted 7 years. It ended in a nasty divorce in 2000 due to her alcoholism. His ex-wife did numerous viscious things; including taking an MBNA credit card out in their names and racking up $20,000. He "assumed" the debt in the divorce although he never charged a single dollar to the account.
The total ammount left to be paid is $14,000, at 29.92% APR, if we make our minimum payments of $300 a month, we will have paid nearly $15,000 more in interest by the time we can pay it off.

His ex-wife passed away in 2004 from complications of bypass surgery. I'm sure that there was a life insurance policy that covered her other existing debt. In addition, her parents filed suit against the hospital and I expect their to be a financial award in that case.

My question is, would it be wrong to send her parents copies of all of the bills and ask that they repay them?

Answer 1

no way go ahead and ask becuase she shouldnt of done all that stuff she probably did it on purpose get your money girl!!!!

Answer 2

well even if you do send it to them they probably will not pay because he was already made to pay it.
I know it does not seem fair and i think the law should do its job, which it is not, cause my husband is going through the same thing with his ex. She got a credit card and used it where she lives and by the way that is 100 miles from where we live and it is on my husbands credit and this all happened a year or more after the divorce. So she should be made to pay the bills. If you want to try then send it to them and just maybe they will see that it was her and pay it.
good luck and i hope they change all this so the man will quit getting the raw end of the deal.

Answer 3

First of all, death extinguishes any debts. In other words, when someone dies owing debts they are legally written off by the creditor unless they're a secured debt (and not always then -- it all depends on the particular loan) The life insurance is not supposed to be to pay debts of the deceased -- it's to pay for the funeral and expenses, if that hasn't already been paid for, and for the benefit of those who remain - ie., spouse, children, etc. Further, if the ex-wife "forged" his signature to take out the credit card it's very very simple to prove ... in which case it's her debt which is now extinguished. And definitely you shouldn't be paying that amount at that rate of interest --- that is usurious.
There's credit card companies that offer 0% interest if you transfer balances from other credit cards for a specified amount of time ..... usually 1 yr. and then interest starts at a much much lower rate. Good luck

Answer 4

It is not their debt. Why should they pay? Your husband should have paid the extra to have credit protection. Why would you continue to pay a debt at 29 %! Take advantage of all the credit card offers in your mail box and transfer the balance to another credit card for less interest rate. Even if it is for a small period of time. Some offer less interest until the balance is paid off - you only have to make every payment on time - every time. I'd be damned if I'd continue to pay 29% interest!

Answer 5

they lost their daughter, yes it would be wrong. And since he "assumed" the debt in the divorce, then it is now his debt, he took responsibility for it, and her family has no responsibility to pay it. I am sorry, I know that is a HUGE amount of money. Speak to the credit card company or a debt management/credit counselling company to try and get an arrangement set up to defer future interest on the account.

Sorry

Answer 6

Her parents are not responsible for her debt. Her estate is. However, if your husband agreed to assume the debt, I don't think he can now try to push that responsibility back on her after her death. We all make decisions and have to live with the consequences, no matter how painful.

I would suggest that you try to refinance the debt into a mortgage or lower interest loan. This will help you pay it off faster, saving interest.

Answer 7

your husband assumed the debt in the divorce, not a smart move, Fraud is fraud, he should have had her arrested, even if they were married,

it is tough luck live and learn, I would suggest looking into a 401K loan from your retirement, or a lower interest credit card, MNBA is one of the worst at screwing people over, you can call them and tell them you are filing bankruptcy and need a lower interest rate or you are putting them on the card, they may lower it,

Answer 8

You may send the bills to her parents but don't expect to be paid. They owe your husband nothing. How can she took up an MBNA credit card in joint names without your husband's signature? This is impossible. In any case now that she is history raking this up would do more harm and pain than good. My advice is move on. Treat this as lesson learned.

Answer 9

well good for you. you have got that passed you..how convenient..but i think it would be in bad taste to send the deceased a bill for past due accounts.

but your question was most interesting..it seems there is justice after all..but no,,,you husband married a lady with problems and since you are are with him you will have to pay for all the mistakes...unless a miracle happens and these people really liked your guy..but heck send the darn bills anyway as for one thing you would put the final chapter to a sad story...but i would not hold my breath waiting for any $$$$ ..this would make a good Stephen King novel...
"If you can't have me..then sue my corpse?"

Answer 10

Since he assumed the bill in the divorce, yes it would be wrong. her parents have enough to deal with, without that coming in the mail. It sucks, I know having to pay this off, but that would be completely wrong to do.

Answer 11

What a horrible person you are?
God, you and a man who left his wife deserve one another.
I notice that your husband is not complaining,

By the way, your husband is lying about the debt.