I live in Oregon. My husband passed away January 1, 2008; our only source of income was his Social Security Benefit and a Non-service Connect Veterans Pension. We had $1005.00 in our joint checking account which I used to pay my monthly expenses for January 2008. My husband had a $1000.00 life insurance policy which I used to pay for burial expenses. There was no savings, stocks, bonds, retirement 401K's nothing. In Oregon we do not have community property laws. He had unsecured debt of approx. $5000 with Washington Mutual. I just received a phone call from a debt collection agency trying to get me to commit to paying this debt. It is my understanding that under Oregon law I am not responsible for the debt. Can they take me to court if there is no estate to attach? Can they take away my car, a 1992 Oldsmobile? I cannot afford an attorney. I am disabled and have applied for SSD but that can take years. My brother is paying my monthly expenses and I have no income of my own.

If you are not a commuity property state then you shouldn't be responsible for his debts unless you signed the agreement.

As long as there is nothing in the estate, a home and other property. Just refuse to talk to them on the phone, in fact I would write them, send a copy of the death certificate and a letter saying there is no funds left to pay any bills,
If they contineu to call, write them and tell them not to contract you further by phone.