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 name was not on her accounts, and she left no real property or assests. Actually, my name is not even listed on the letter from the attorneys. Can they force me to pay her debt in the state of California?
T. Dobbins

No, they can sue your moms estate, so if there was any money in the bank, a car, you will need to show they were disposed of according to state law, and that there was no money left to pay any of the bills.

Your basic first mistake was actually writig them and giving them your name to start with. I hope you used your moms address to write them and did not give them your name at all when you notified them of her death. If they have your name, they will bother and bother you for the money even though they can not legally collect from your personally, but often family members still pay so they hope they can scare you or shame you into paying, they will try any and everything expect it.

Make a copy of the letter they send you, tell them to cease and desist or further legal action will be taken.