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Collections Law/Minor child debt?
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Question
To make long story short, due to an error in doctor's office billing, my 19 year old daughter has a collection placed with the credit bureau from a medical visit when she was 17, a minor/dependant. Found out yesterday that the insurance did'nt pay because wrong name on responsible party. The doctor's office is telling me they cannot change this from being in her name because they had already turned it over to collection. Is this true? How can I get this bill changed from child's name into mine or my husbands? At the moment I'm concerned about her credit. I will handle the bill but would like this of my daughter's name. Thanks for any help.
You may advise your doctor that this is a legal issue and it must be corrected. They can correct the error if they choose. You may want to send them a certified letter adivising them to correct the error and informing them how you wish to handle the bill. They must then remove the item from her credit. If they do not then write a letter to the credit bureaus disputing the debt on the same basis. She was underage. This should take care of it. If not make sure you advise the doctors office you will be filing a complaint with the Federal Trade COmmission and the State Attorney General. If they dont fix it, follow through with the complaint.
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Answers by Expert:
Michael Brotherton
Expertise
Consumer/Debtor Rights Advocate. Mike Brotherton is a negotiator with over 30 years experience in consumer lending and collections. Mike has 30 years in the credit and collections industry as a former loan officer, debt collector and manager of two finance companies over several years. Mike is well versed in Loss Mitigation practices and the legal collection process. He has helped literally thousands of people over many years overcome serious financial problems such as foreclosure, creditor lawsuits and abuse by debt collectors. For more information about resolving your "financial emergency" visit www.financialemergency.com. FinancialEmergency.com is a consumer web site which actively promotes Fair Debt Collection Practices and other consumer protection laws. We teach DEBTOR RIGHTS and enforcement of those rights. The more informed you are of your rights and the credit collections practices of creditors the more peace you can have dealing with your FINANCIAL EMERGENCY. Most financial problems are fairly common and as such have some very common solutions. The key is understanding your rights in the collection process and how to enforce them if need be. Primary business- Debtor Rights Advocacy and Debt Mitigation relating to foreclosure, creditor lawsuits, and other serious financial problems. www.financialemergency.com (copy and paste in browser).
Experience
Over 40 years combined experience negotiating disputes and resolving financial issues related to consumer debt, corporate issues and mortgage modifications.
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