If say, a husband dies, does his wife have to pay off his credit card debts?

Question

well, it's my dad. he's like 60,000 in debt. and my mother just wanted to know if she will have to pay all of that off at some point.

Answer 1

Unless he took out payment protection insurance, then yes. Debts are inherited too.

Answer 2

Only if she has a joint account. Authorized user does not count. No a Child can not inherit the Credit Card debit. The state usually pays for it if the estate can not pay for it. The Credit Card company will usually write it off.

Answer 3

When I worked for a credit card company we only enforced that if the wifes name was on the account too. If the account was only in his name then we just needed a copy of the death certificate. Most of the time the family paid off the bill anyways. They thought they had to. I haven't worked for credit cards for 7 years so things may have changed.

So how you planning on killing him?

Answer 4

Only if it's in joint names. But even then you wouldn't have to pay it off - just inherit the debt.

Answer 5

If the husband has CRP, card repayment protection, then this will cover the balance. If not, then officially it will come straight out of their estate.. but alot of companies don't push this because of bad PR.

Answer 6

A child can also inherit the parent's debt. Sucks!

Answer 7

Depends on the relationship between the two.

Answer 8

Only if her name is on the account

Answer 9

When she carries the same last name, she is legally responsible for everything her late husband left behind.

Answer 10

Yes!