Are surviving relatives responsible for paying the debts of a deceased relative?
In most states, surviving relatives are not responsible for the debts of a deceased relative who was not their spouse. However, a spouse’s obligation to pay may still be limited under state law. To find out whether you are responsible for your spouse’s debt, contact a debt collection attorney. What should I do if I’ve been contacted by a debt collector attempting to collect a debt of a relative who has died? Provide the debt collector with the contact information of the deceased’s personal representative, who is responsible for settling their affairs, including paying any outstanding debts. If there is a will, the personal representative is the executor. If a will does not exist, the personal representative is the administrator. Do I have to speak with a debt collector about a deceased relative’s debt? No. However, if you are the deceased relative’s personal representative or otherwise legally obligated to pay the debt, you should speak with the debt collector to find a way to resolve
Related Questions
- If a relative dies (mother, father, not spouse) leaving credit card debts, are the heirs responsible for the debt, even if there is a will?
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