Am I liable for my deceased son's credit card balances?

Answer 1

I think it depends on whether you got any money from insurance, or if he left any assetts. If not, then u do not owe them It is hard enough to make arrangements and pay for a funeral w/o debts lingering. Unless u collected on something, or were a co-signer--the cc will go away.

Answer 2

Only if you cosigned on his card would you be personally liable. And if you weren't a co-signer then for goodness sake don't sign ANYTHING sent to you by any of his credit card companies or other lenders. They're up to no good.

Here's why: your son's estate IS liable for all his debts. He might not have much of an "estate," but if your son was wealthy, or at least solvent, then his debts have to be paid before his heirs get anything.

If your son was a young man, though, and had only some personal property like a car, clothes, some electronic equipment, etc., and also had credit card debt, it is likely that he died in debt, and it's also a near-certainty that the credit card company is blowing smoke.

From a practical standpoint it is very difficult for credit card companies to go after the debt when a dead person had no money or real property (a home, say). That's because under most states' laws credit card debts are usually considered the lowest priority among a dead person's debts. Just about everything else is considered higher priority, including funeral expenses, unpaid taxes, medical expenses from the last illness. Credit card companies know they're last and so they try to guilt trip the heirs by saying, hey, if you got anything from him, you have to sell it to pay us.

The best way to deal with this is to say: "my son's dead, after his funeral there was nothing left, and your share of nothing is..nothing. Buzz off."

I am very sorry that you have to deal with vultures in this situation. Good luck.

Answer 3

This is probably a question for a probate lawyer, but my educated guesses would be:

1. Yes, if you are a "joint authorized user" of the credit cards

2. Probably yes, if you benefit from the estate. But credit cards ARE UNsecured debts. Ask a lawyer.

3. No, if you are neither a joint authoirzed users not if you do not benefit from the estate.

Answer 4

if he's under 18, sure. If over 18, I'd ask does he have a savings account, things you could sell to pay his bills? You can call the credit card companies and ask. Also call an attorney if they are huge bills.

Answer 5

Persons are not responsible for deceased relative’s debts, including credit card debts, and including parents and adult children.

Answer 6

Next of kin usually is, yes. Unless he is married. Then his wife, obviously.

They always make next of kind. I would be responsible for my moms too if she were to pass. That is how it goes. The bill collectors a deceased person leaves behind is always turned onto the family.

Sorry for your loss-

Answer 7

how old was your son when he passed away, if he was 18 +, then you are not responsible for any of his credit card balance.

Answer 8

it depends on how he was at time of death lets say i if he had a credit card when he was 16 with your name on it to, your reponsible for what ever debt is oweed on some of itt, if it was just in his name and over 18 at time of said death, that offical ends itt--- they wil want confirmationn, too stop nagging you like a, obituiary-- or something too back up your claaim they willl close file thenn--

Answer 9

No