In-Laws debt transferred to my husband?

by Kim
(Canyon Country, CA)

Moved to Cali from WI in 2007, lived in home with in laws, nothing but Time Warner in our name. Now, moved into a new home w/ inlaws (both in failing health), and Socal Edison has transferred a balance in my MIL's name, to my husbands new account for this house, and threatening shut off, both of them require electric for medical reasons, oh yeah, they sent MIL a letter relieving her of the old debt, as they added to our account. Now they want us to prove we are not responsible. How can they transfer a balance to another person like this? We had nothing in our name at the old address except cable TV and internet. Only lived there 10 months. Now we have to pay over $1000??