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    bk39's Avatar
    bk39 Posts: 72, Reputation: 1
    Junior Member
     
    #1

    Feb 14, 2009, 07:16 PM
    Credit card debt
    I would like to know who would be responsible for my debts (credit card) should I die?
    I am an old goat, divorced ten years with four adult children all off on their own.
    In my advanced age I am afraid I will not be around to pay it off.
    Does anyone out there know what happen?
    I do not have a will nor do I have any assets and there is no estate.
    Thanks.
    JJCH's Avatar
    JJCH Posts: 122, Reputation: 7
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    #2

    Feb 14, 2009, 07:26 PM

    My father died may 28, 2008. He was 60 ys old. We found out after he had no will or life insurance or anything. If your next of kin contacts your creditors and informs them of your death (like we did for dad), They will send a letter of condolences to the family with an excerpt that "The estate of (your name here) is still responsible for the balance due". Of course they will still try and get their money. Personally, I did not pay any of dads creditors after he died; I only paid the mortgage off on his house after it sold. As far as credit cards, cell phone bills, utility bills, etc... I never sent them a dime. Nothing happened. I was told they just charge it off as a loss... Now if you have a will or living trust, I don't know what would happen... someone here knows I'm sure...
    Fr_Chuck's Avatar
    Fr_Chuck Posts: 81,301, Reputation: 7692
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    #3

    Feb 14, 2009, 07:39 PM

    The debts have to be paid by the estate, if the person over the estate does not follow state probate law and does not pay, he can be held be sued personaly for that failure.

    If there is not enough left in the estate then it does not get paid
    JudyKayTee's Avatar
    JudyKayTee Posts: 46,503, Reputation: 4600
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    #4

    Feb 16, 2009, 07:57 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by JJCH View Post
    My father died may 28, 2008. He was 60 ys old. We found out after he had no will or life insurance or anything. If your next of kin contacts your creditors and informs them of your death (like we did for dad), They will send a letter of condolences to the family with an exerpt that "The estate of (your name here) is still responsible for the balance due". Ofcourse they will still try and get their money. Personally, I did not pay any of dads creditors after he died; I only paid the mortgage off on his house after it sold. As far as credit cards, cell phone bills, utility bills, etc... I never sent them a dime. Nothing happened. I was told they just charge it off as a loss... Now if you have a will or living trust, I dont know what would happen.... someone here knows im sure...


    This is unusual - the estate IS responsible.
    bk39's Avatar
    bk39 Posts: 72, Reputation: 1
    Junior Member
     
    #5

    Feb 16, 2009, 11:43 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by JudyKayTee View Post
    This is unusual - the estate IS responsible.
    There is no estate. I am intestate. No will, no assets. Unfortunately, and all my fault, I have allowed my credit charges to escalate to a point where I may not be able to pay them off before I die. I am an elderly person.
    JudyKayTee's Avatar
    JudyKayTee Posts: 46,503, Reputation: 4600
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    #6

    Feb 17, 2009, 07:23 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by bk39 View Post
    there is no estate. i am intestate. no will, no assets. unfortunately, and all my fault, I have allowed my credit charges to escalate to a point where I may not be able to pay them off before I die. I am an elderly person.

    If you die penniless, no assets, the bills go unpaid.
    JJCH's Avatar
    JJCH Posts: 122, Reputation: 7
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    #7

    Feb 17, 2009, 08:03 AM

    Correct... same case with my father. He only had his home which he still owed a mortgage. The sale of the home paid the mortgage off, no proceeds.

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