My mother recently passed away and now the credit card companies are trying to collect approx $9,000 of debt from me. She lived alone and took care of her own finances. She was not frivolous or anything. The day she passed away she had about $450 in her checking account and approx $1,000 in...

I read on a surrogate's website that creditors going after a deceased person's debt can only make a claim against the estate no more than 9 months after the date of death. I really need to know if that is a law. I was also told by many creditors that if I send them a copy of the death certificate,...

My Mother died May 18. This month, I returned her 2 credit card bills with copies of her death certificate, and asked the companies to close the accounts. This week, I got a letter from a law firm representing Citibank, and saying they are going to obtain a judgement against me for the debt. My...

I have been reading that I am not responsible for the debt but any assets have to be used to pay for debt. My mother had had no will. Does the assets include the income tax return money and any money received from a state retirement plan? Also, do we have to contact creditors to tell them she is...

My Mom sold her house and three days later she died. I am an only child and sole heir. When I went to the closing I found she had put my name on the deed to the house with her as joint tenants after my Dad had passed away in 1998. I was given two checks for the sale price. One in my name...