Money and accounts
Do I have to pay their medical bills?
Short answer
Not personally, unless you signed a financial responsibility form. The estate is responsible. Hospital bills can be negotiated or reduced. Medicaid/Medi-Cal may have a recovery claim against the estate. Talk to the hospital billing department before paying anything large.
What this usually means
Not personally, unless you signed a financial responsibility form. The estate is responsible. Hospital bills can be negotiated or reduced. Medicaid/Medi-Cal may have a recovery claim against the estate. Talk to the hospital billing department before paying anything large.
What to do next
- Start the PathAfter checklist for situation-aware first steps.
- Find California county help for coroner contacts, vital records, cost tools, and paperwork.
- Open the First 72 Hours Call Log before making calls.
- Open the Documents to Find Checklist when you are ready for paperwork.