Does being married give me the right to know information regarding bills under my husbands name?

Get a notice on your doctor's or hospital's stationary that states that your husband is in a coma. make several copies. take the original and a copy to the utilities company and show them and explain--in person. Going down in person makes a huge difference. NEVER give anyone the original. You can let them look at it but if they want to make a copy tell them you made one for them and give the copy to them. Also if the clerk won't help you (At this point you should begin recording--see below.) then ask for someone who can --if the clerk refuses, see another clerk or someone at a desk in the office.

ALWAYS stay CALM and PLEASANT -- you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. You can be firm without being irate.

If they are going to hold you liable for the bill then they have to give you information. Ask them about that.

Any one seeking to recover a debt from someone MUST provide all information available about the debt.

Let them shut it off for non-payment if they won't cooperate. Tell them you will have to move and rent the place out if they can't help you. Then tell them good luck trying to get money from a man in a coma. They'll listen!!

Do you have a tape recorder? you can bring one and turn it on--they'll know you mean business. But don't do it immediately--wait until they deny your request. If you turn it on right away they will be put off and be uncooperative.

WORST CASE SCENARIO:

If you can, turn it on in your name, or better, someone else's. You would have to give that person something saying he/she lives there--like a rental agreement. Yes, one person can have more than one utilities account--I have 4 because I am a landlord.

And oh yes, if you want to be responsible for the bills and be able to handle them make sure your name is on the accounts.

You should have some kind of power of attorney by your husband that authorizes you to have knowledge of bills and stuff that are in his name. It used to be a long time ago, banks, electric companies, etc would give out the info to the "wife" but that privilege has been abused. 2 people could be legally married, but could be separated and having LOTS of issues, and it's not always advantageous for the "other spouse" to have information unless the corresponding spouse authorizes it. When your husband finally comes out of the coma, you all need to have some POA papers written up. Until then, you could try to call the electric company again and see if another person answers the call, and maybe he/she is a little more willing to be flexible with you . You could attempt to fax over papers showing that your husband is in a coma.

They are just trying to protect themselves from liability. You need to consult with an attorney because you will need to petition the courts to grant you power of attorney while your husband is incapacitated. You will need a court order to make things easier.

American's sue for damn near anything so we've made life a lot tougher than it should be needed. You can't fault the power company because they don't want to risk a law suit. Electricity cannot be considered community property because it lacks physical value.

Show them a court order and all will be well.

Sorry for the troubles and I hope your hubby pulls out well.

Absolutely. Go down there and raise hell.

Start writing letters to document everything. Send one letter, certified mail return receipt, politely asking for complete and free access to the account information. Let them know (NICELY) that their failure to comply will result in a complaint to the state utility licensing board (include the complaints dept address on the letter so they know you mean business). Send the complaint anyway, nomatter what they do.

If you've explained to them that he's in a coma and they're not interested, I would change electricity companies. Then when the old company contacts you for payment, tell them that you can't talk to them, they will have to talk to your comatose husband. I'm just obnoxious that way.

Legally, they are correct. The only way around it is by having a judge declare you your husband's legal guardian, and filing that with the electric company.

Ask to speak to a manager. You should be able to speak for him. And vice versa. I've never had an issue. And at one place I worked they had me listed as the CEO's "wife" on paperwork for his personal cell phone so I could call for him as well...

Not on the account; they will not release the information to you.

Pretty much cut and dried.

Try a lawyer.