My husband basically abandonded me in January. He filed for divorce a month later. I originally told him I will pay for the utilities - then I got the gas bill and it was too much for me to handle. I am asking him to pay only for half of the gas bill - is he legally required to pay it? I do have a lawyer but I am curious to get opinion and other answers...
2007-03-28 03:37:19 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
My husband basically abandonded me in January. He filed for divorce a month later. I originally told him I will pay for the utilities - then I got the gas bill and it was too much for me to handle. I am asking him to pay only for half of the gas bill - is he legally required to pay it? I do have a lawyer but I am curious to get opinion and other answers...
Ok - sorry, I'm new to this. We are in the state of Ohio by the way. Also, when the gas bill came and I could not pay it, he agreed to paying half. I am not asking for him to continue paying during the warmer months.
2007-03-28 03:50:56 · update #1
No, I don't think he should pay half the gas bill when he wasn't living there. If he WAS living there, then he should pay half. What month was the bill for?
2007-03-28 03:42:33 · answer #1 · answered by olderbutwiser 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you are having to pay for a lawyer anyway, then ask the question. Write down any you have and save yourself time and money. And don't feel guilty for not being able to pay it on your own. You weren't the one who up and left. I would say discuss it with your ex if he's reasonable but he's sounds like a done-and-over-with-move-on-to-the-next-new-thing type of guy. Just remember this is a new stepping stone in your life. You will get on your feet and survive all of this. Definitely call the gas company, briefly explain the facts (they don't need the details) and ask for some kind of payment plan. Also find out if they have an equal month payment plan, where they average out your projected year's usuage so you pay the same amount every month. Many other utilities and electric companies have these plans as well, makes budgeting easier.
2007-03-28 10:54:13 · answer #2 · answered by Tabatha 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, I'm sorry you find yourself in this situation.
Second, if he doesn't live there, why would he be responsible for a bill covering a time period when he didn't reside there? Do you have children? If the bills are not for the period when you both lived there and there are no children, then I don't see how he is responsible.
However, most likely, if there bank accounts 1/2 of that money is yours and you could seek that money in court to help cover your expenses. It's possible that you can seek the court to order the sale of the home and if you were a SAHM or make far less than he does, you could request temporary spousal support.
One thing to consider, if the bill is in his name only, not paying it will negatively impact HIS credit. So you may have some leverage there.
But at some point you have to support yourself.
Again, I am sorry you find yourself in this hurtful situation.
2007-03-28 10:44:25 · answer #3 · answered by camys_daddy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say no. If he has filed the divorce papers and doesn't live in the home and you told him you would pay the bills, then the burden is yours.
You can usually work out a payment plan with the utility company.
If he agreed to pay it then yes he should pay it, but legally he is not required to. If he filed the divorce papers then you are considered legally separated.
2007-03-28 10:41:41 · answer #4 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Normally when a bill comes to someone, its whoevers name is on that bill that is held responsible..but seeing how you two are still married, and were obviously when the bill was actually incurred, then he is just as responsible, so yes he should pay, even though he wasnt living there...laws are different everywhere..but in most places...married people are jointly responsible for all bills incurred during the marriage, split up or not
2007-03-28 10:46:00 · answer #5 · answered by Darcey D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the bill is in his name, then he's technically responsible for payment. However, YOU can’t force him to pay (only a judge can and the judge might not force him to pay for utilities when he’s not living in the home), and if the bill doesn’t get paid, then it will be YOU that has no gas.
2007-03-28 11:30:23 · answer #6 · answered by kp 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the gas bill is in his name, have it changed to your name and let the gas company deal with him. Get everything changed into your name and don't ask him to help pay anything. Don't give him the chance to say, "I loaned you the money, it was not a gift and now I want it back."
2007-03-28 11:19:10 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Legally, he is not responsible for half the bills.....Even though he left and you have been living there, you are responsible for the bills. Thats how life is unfortunately, very unfair, especially when it comes to the law.
The best advice I can offer you is to look into selling the house and splitting the share.....
2007-03-28 11:57:59 · answer #8 · answered by Yvette D 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless you have an agreed that says he must pay maintenance which would cover utilities. Then the answer would be no he doesn't have to pay since he does not live there.
2007-03-28 10:43:55 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes he should and more than that your not being greedy but he needs to help you he got you into this mess by leaving you .
2007-03-28 10:41:40 · answer #10 · answered by kkwants to help 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋