How can my ex be responsible for my gas bill if Igot it while we were separated and I was in a house that he never lived in?
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How can my ex be responsible for my gas bill if Igot it while we were separated and I was in a house that he never lived in?
The gas company is saying he is and I am fighting this because I don’t feel that he should be.
Asked on June 8, 2011 under Bankruptcy Law, Utah
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Who was on the account? That's likely the critical question here. The gas company doesn't care about your domestic arrangements or where live; they care about who is on the account and/or agreed to pay the account. If your husband was on the account (e.g. opened either in his name or in both your names jointly), then he would be legally responsible for it; on the other hand, if you were the only one on the account, then it's difficult to see how he would be liable. Not that even if he is liable, nothing stops you from offering to pay the bill or from reimbursing him for the bill, if you think that's right; also, you should, going forward, take steps to get him off the account and not liable, such as by removing his name or closing the current account and opening a new one solely in your own name.
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