Is a Spouse Responsible For Their Partner's Medical Bills?

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Question:

I am recently married and my I had to have surgery soon after our wedding. Is my husband responsible for the medical bills that I acquired during that time?

Answer:

Your spouse is not responsible for your medical bills unless he signed an agreement with your care provider to be responsible.
Up until 1995, the State of Florida relied upon what was called “the doctrine of necessaries”. Under the doctrine of necessaries, a husband was responsible for the hospital care that his wife received. The doctrine of necessaries was not a law passed by the state legislature but rather was “common law” that traced its roots back to the British.

In 1995, the Florida Supreme Court took up the case of Connor v. Southwest Fla. Regional Medical Centers (688 So. 2d 175-Fla) and decided it was time to do away with the doctrine of necessaries. The Florida Supreme Court ruled that if the State of Florida wants spouses to be responsible for their mate’s hospital bills, then the state would have to pass a specific law for stating that. The Florida Legislature has not done so.

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