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Are Fathers Responsible for Medical Bills of the Mother's Delivery?

Hospital bills for a delivery can add up to tens of thousands of dollars for a normal delivery. If you are an expectant father, you may be responsible for paying the costs of labor and delivery. However, whether you are responsible depends upon what state you live in, what relationship you are to the mother and whether you signed the admission paperwork.

  1. Admissions Paperwork

    • If you signed the admission's paperwork for the mother, you may be responsible for the medical bill. Most admission forms include a section where you agree to be responsible for payment. If you did sign the admissions form, check the wording on the form to find out if you are financially responsible. You can obtain a copy of the form from the hospital. On the other hand, if someone else -- such as the child's mother -- signed the form and agreed to be financially responsible, she is liable for payment.

    Court Orders

    • Any court order that pertains to providing health care for the mother or child will take precedence over a signature on a hospital admissions form. For example, if the mother of the child signed a hospital admissions form and agreed to be financially responsible for payment, the hospital will pursue her for payment. However, if there is a court order in place that states you are responsible for the bill, the mother can then pursue legal means to seek reimbursement from you.

    Relationship Status

    • If you are divorced from the child's mother, you may be required to pay medical bills if you have been ordered by a court to do so -- even if you didn't sign the admissions paperwork. Although you may not be responsible for the mother's bills, as a parent of the child you may be responsible for the child's portion of the bill such as newborn care, nursery care or any care given in the intensive care unit. If you are married to the child's mother, you are likely not responsible for her bills unless you signed paperwork agreeing to be responsible or if you live in a community property state.

    Community Property States

    • If you are married to the child's mother and live in one of the community property states of Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington or Wisconsin, all assets and debts acquired during the marriage are considered joint assets and debts. This means that if your wife's medical bills are 50 percent your liability -- even if you didn't sign admissions paperwork.

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