Does My Spouse Need to File a Separate Class Action Claim?

Often, yes. If your spouse is a class member in their own right, they usually need to file their own claim. One person's claim doesn't automatically cover the other. The exception is settlements that pay per account, per household or per product, where only one claim may be allowed for something you share. The settlement FAQ and claim form will say which rule applies.

When each spouse should file

Separate claims make sense when each of you independently meets the class definition. Common examples:

• ✓Data breaches. If both of your records were exposed, you are each class members and can each file. Each of you may receive a separate notice.
• ✓Privacy cases. Settlements over tracking or biometric data usually cover individual people, not households.
• ✓Separate accounts. If you each had your own subscription, phone line or bank account, each account holder can usually file.
• ✓Employment cases. If you both worked for the employer in the class, you each have your own claim.
• ✓Individual purchases. If each of you bought a covered product separately, you can each claim your own purchase.

When one claim may cover both

• ✓Joint accounts. Some bank or service settlements pay once per account. Joint holders may need to choose one person to file, or the payment may be made to both names.
• ✓Household products. If you bought one appliance together, you'd typically file one claim for it, not two.
• ✓Property-based cases. Settlements tied to a home or vehicle often pay per property or per vehicle, with co-owners sharing one claim.

Can one spouse file for the other?

Generally, each person should file their own claim and sign their own attestation, since claim forms are usually signed under penalty of perjury. You can help each other with the form, but the information and signature should belong to the class member. If a spouse can't act for themselves, the administrator may accept a claim from someone with legal authority, such as a power of attorney or guardian. If your spouse has died, see filing for a deceased relative.

Watch for shared contact details

When two claims come from the same address, email or payment account, fraud screening sometimes flags them for review. That's normal and usually resolves easily. A few habits help:

1. 1Use separate email addresses for each spouse's claim if you have them.
2. 2Choose payment methods in each person's own name, such as separate PayPal accounts.
3. 3Use each spouse's own claim ID from the notice they received.
4. 4Respond promptly if either of you receives a verification request.

For more on how administrators screen claims, see how administrators verify claims.

What about kids and other family members?

Adult children who meet the class definition file their own claims. Minors can be class members too, typically with a parent or guardian filing on their behalf. See can children be class members for how that works.

A quick way to decide

Ask two questions. Does each of you separately fit the class definition? And does the settlement pay per person or per account? If both of you qualify and it pays per person, file two claims. If it pays per account and you share one, file once.

Accounts in one name only

A common situation is a household service, such as internet, phone or a subscription, billed to one spouse but used by both. In most settlements, the account holder is the class member, and only they can file. The other spouse usually can't claim just because they used the service. Read the definition: some classes cover subscribers or account holders, others cover users. If the definition covers users, both spouses may qualify. If it covers account holders, only the person on the bill does.

The same logic applies to cars, homes and leases. Look at whose name is on the title, deed or lease, and compare that with what the class definition requires.

Couples often qualify for different settlements because they use different brands and accounts. Each of you can add your own brands in SettleScout to see your matches and get deadline reminders for your own claims.