I received a call from a junk collector trying to find my dad (he was in the hospital at the time). So I talked to the person (very stupid of me after reading all the posts) but I took all the information that he had and stated that I would get with my father to resolve. I naively knew my parents had some problems but not to what extent (several defaulted credit cards and a judgement of some kind). Dad believes that the debt can not be collected on because it is from 1999, although this guy said a payment was made in 2004, but without any proof just his word. We live in TX and it looks like the Statue of limitations is 4 years so did I start the SoL over by just talking to this guy? The estate will not be worth anything, if even now. Dad is on a fixed Disable VA income, no saving/pension and owens a twenty plus yr old mobile home (no land) and a 10 plus yr old pickup.

I do not want this guy to keep calling me and someday it will be my responsibility to resovle this because I am to date the named executor of the estate when Dad passes on. Should I pull a credit report or will that bring more junk collectors out of the woodwork now?

Please help your opinions greatly needed.

Dear Stressed. First, pull the credit report so you have an idea of what is owed. Secondly, tell whoever calls up to put it in writing and hang up! You did not start anything all over again by talking to them either. Also, the credit report will show if any payment was made in 2004. Again, hang up. Better yet, get a dial up internet connection then the jerks cannot get through and hassle your folks as the line will be perpetually busy LOL.

You, as the child, are not responsible to pay your parent's debts (while alive or deceased). If you an account holder with your parent, then yes. Otherwise, no. All debts and assets and wills are handled in accordance with the state probate laws in which the deceased lived and/or owned property.

There have been many threads on this type of question. You can search the archives. You can also search the web for articles such as the following:
When your parents die broke - MSN Money (http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/CollegeAndFamily/CaringForParents/WhenYourParentsDieBroke.aspx?GT1=8690)