The fact that it is in Florida doesn't change the answer. The assumption is that the wife inherits at least half, if not all, of the husband's assets. But the estate has to liquidate all assets before they can transfer them to the spouse. One way or another, the spouse ends up paying the debt. The spouse has some right in all real property owned by the husband. If the assets are not enough to cover the debt, the real property may have a lien placed against it to cover those debts.
Only if the surviving spouse entered into a repayment agreement with the medical providers.
No
No, but the estate the deceased left may be responsible for these expenses.
Florida requires that debt be resolved before an estate is settled. That means the bills have to be paid before anything can be distributed.
The wife is not directly responsible unless she is on the contract. Florida courts could rule that the spouse benefited from the debts and could be held responsible. The estate has to pay the debts before she can inherit anything.
No, they are not
YES, if you die, then the next of kin is responsible for your debt.
Only if they signed a contract or agreement to accept the responsibility. If not, the deceased's ESTATE becomes responsible for any debts.
The estate is responsible for all the debts of the deceased. Indirectly the spouse will have to pay them off from the estate before she can inherit.
Unless the survivor(s) signed some type of contract or agreement to be responsible for the deceased's medical bills, it is the deceased's ESTATE which is liable for the expense - NOT the survivors.HOWEVER: In reality, if the surviving spouse also happens to be the Executor of their deceased spouse's estate, they WILL, have to pay for whatever medical bills may be outstanding from the proceeds of the estate that they are administering.
In Montana the estate will be responsible for the medical bills of the deceased. Only after they are resolved can the estate be closed and any remainder distributed.
The estate is responsible for all the bills of the deceased. The spouse will be required to pay them from the estate funds.