Note: The DearEsq free 'ask a lawyer' site is offered as a free informational service to the public and is not intended as legal advice. Laws vary from state-to-state, and in addition every situation is unique, and relevant facts may not be known. The answer to the question posed below may not apply to in your state or to your situation. For legal advice in your state and your situation you should consult with an attorney in your state who is familiar with the rules and laws in your state.
“I had let my boyfriends mother and step-father put gas and electric and cable in my name to help them out because they couldn’t put it theirs at the time. This was last year and now both bills have gone to collections and I can not pay them i am only 19 years old and i don’t need bad credit. They had said if i put it in my name that they would pay it and i didn’t have to worry about it…And my ex boyfriend said that you would take care of it and he still hasn’t done anything and i believe i have given him enough time to do something…I am desperate to know what to do. Please tell me what would be the best thing for me to do.”
Question: You need to get your name off the bills. Call the companies in question and cancel your account. To avoid the negative credit report, you will probably need to pay off the bills. You likely have a claim against boyfriend, step-mother and step-father in small claims. You probably should not co-sign for people who you do not really trust, especially for people whose credit is so bad that they cannot get utilities turned on in their name. You are lucky to learn this lesson so young.
