I just read the answers to this question above and the answers were very helpful to me as my mother passed away this evening. Once I arrive to handle her things I know most items will not be of value to anyone, including her car and I was going to donate most of her things to charity. I work overseas so my time back in the states is going to be short. Can I still do this, donate her things, even though she has credit card debt?

If she has an insurance policy or anything in the bank I can turn that over but the worldly goods I would just like to give away, is that possible?

Many thanks your answers were very helpful to me.

First, my condolences on your loss.

If the cash in the estate is not enough to cover her bills, then you may have to get appraisals of the wordly goods to determine if there is any value. An insurance policy is generally not part of the estate and those funds go to the beneficiary on the policy.

After you determine how much cash is in the estate and what the debts of the estate are, you can contact the creditors and ask them if they want the worldly goods. Most likely they will say no and you can just close out the accounts.

My condolences on your loss, as well. Welcome to AMHD. You should visit the probate court or its equivalent at her home and find out whether your mother's estate requires administration. It is legal for a creditor to apply for this position, as well as a family member. Did your mother have a will? Also, it is common that an estate is not subject to suit for six months, to allow the personal representative an opportunity to marshall assets for distribution to heirs and payment of debts. You need to look into any of her final expenses, as well as life insurance.