Ex-spouse's heating bill

My ex-husband and I were divorced in 10/2009. He left the NJ property where both our names are on the deed on 12/2009 with a heating bill and is now residing overseas. I did not reside in the property since 2007. Am I liable for the bill even though it is stipulated in the divorce that he is responsible for all bills related to the property? I got a default judgment and I still have to confirm with the court if I was properly served because I never got a summons. I only received the information subpoena, nothing else.

Comments for Ex-spouse's heating bill

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Jan 09, 2011
 Unpaid Debt and Divorce Agreement
by: Mary

It is never a good idea to have a divorce agreement that makes one former spouse responsible for paying debt that is (was) incurred in the names of both ex-spouses because if that person fails to live up to the agreement, the creditors who have not been paid can look to the other ex-spouse for payment. I assume therefore that this is what has happened to you, probably because even though you were no longer living in your New Jersey home, your name was still on the heating bill.

I suggest that you schedule an appointment with a consumer law attorney in your area who helps consumers with debt collection problems to see if they have any advice for how to deal with this matter. Find out how to get FREE or low cost legal advice about debt collection from a consumer law attorney here.

However to be honest, you should have sought legal advice long before now; you should have spoken with an attorney as soon as you began receiving demand letters related to the unpaid heating bill. The attorney may have been able to help you resolve the matter and avoid being sued. Because you did not get legal help and you did not show up in court for the hearing related to the lawsuit, you have a court judgment against you, which is very damaging to your credit history.

The attorney you meet with should also be able to advise you about whether or not you were served correctly.

Best of luck.

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