Ex-wife ruined my life, now my credit??

My ex wife had two affairs on me, we got a divorce,went to family court. I was ordered to pay support for my daughter - no problem. I tried to get some healthcare coverage for my daughter and was told by the insuance provider that I couldn't apply for my child because my ex had placement of our child. The insurance provider told me that they would send my the application and I could have my ex fill it out with the proper documentation and it wouldn't be any problem. This was in Nov 2006. Some time in December, my daughter had got ill and was taken into the Emergency room, I had not known this until July 2007. I got a call yesterday 7/10/07 from a collection agency demanding I pay a bill for $2000.00 or they were going to garnish my wages!! My ex had seven months to tell me about the bill, not to mention get her some healthcare coverage. As family court ruled, I am responsible to pay half of the debt but I was never made aware that such a bill existed, not by my ex or the hospital! I live in NY where family court is not to nice to fathers, I don't know what to do- HELP

Regardless of whether you had insurance in place or not, you state you're responsible for half of the debt. Get a detailed copy of the bill; if it in fact is your responsibility, attach a copy of your support order and either pay your half or include payments with written notification you will forward payments on a regular basis until your portion of the debt is satisfied. It would be better if you could somehow swing the entire half and be done with it; if you can't, you can at least set up a payment plan...and stick to it. After your half of the debt is paid, you have the right to send written request to the credit collection agency that they cease contact. You cannot have your wages assigned if you've begun repayment and any future calls after you've begun paying can be construed as harrassment. You do have certain credit rights..the following link can probably help, particularly sections 805-813.

http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpa/fdcpact.shtm

I'd suggest you do all of this in writing and maintain copies of everything that is sent for your records. Another suggestion is to find the original creditor (the collection agency is required to disclose that to you) and see if you can get the account recalled from collection with your repayment plan. Again, provide them with documentation that you're only responsible for half; the balance should be billed separately to your ex. At the very least, it's worth a try. Hopefully, the hospital or medical facility will be willing to work with you.

Sorry, but I really don't think 'your life is ruined.' However, your credit could be affected if you don't do something about it. Good luck.