My mother died 2 1/2 yrs ago with no estate. She owned a home. We had a joint checking account. I did not notify her credit card company of her death because I was afraid they would take my money out of our joint checking account. Instead I have been paying her bill. The credit card company was informed of my mothers death and wants me to settle her account. They will now be know she died 2 1/2 yrs ago. What will happen?

If the credit card was only in her name your not responsible for the debt. You should have, and should transfer the money from this joint account to one only in your name.

They might be able to recover some money if they get a lawyer and can prove that most of the money in this joint account was hers but it could be your word against theirs.

You say your mother owned a home, therefore she DID have an estate with the home being the primary asset. Unless, the home was owned with someone else as joint tenants with right of survivorship, then the value of the home was part of her estate. Before the estate can be distributed any debts would have to be paid.

Also the fact that you have been making payments on the balance could be construed that you acknowledged responsibility for the debt.

So what happened to the house? And what's the balance of the account?

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Originally Posted by mtr33

My mother died 2 1/2 yrs ago with no estate. She owned a home. We had a joint checking account. I did not notify her credit card company of her death becuz I was afraid they would take my money out of our joint checking account. Instead I have been paying her bill. The credit card company was informed of my mothers death and wants me to settle her account. They will now be know she died 2 1/2 yrs ago. What will happen?

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Pay the account balance and close the card.