My husband passed away recently. Am I responsible for his medical bills and charge card bills?

Answer 1

Maybe. If you live in a community property state, any debts HE incurs during the marriage, YOU are also responsible for, so yes.

If you do NOT live in a community property state, AND didn't sign for responsibility for the medical provider, and the credit card was HIS ONLY, not a joint account, then no.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Spouse or estate
If the spouse is still alive, he or she is still on the hook; otherwise, the estate must pay off the creditors.

Estate
The credit card company will first try to collect from the estate (assets will be sold to pay the bills). Then, if the account was a joint account, any survivors will be left holding the bag. If the debt belonged solely to the deceased, then the credit card company will end up eating the debt if there aren't enough assets to cover it.

Credit counselor agrees
I can confirm that the answer above is correct. I am a certified credit counselor and it is true that the credit card companies will try to collect from the estate first and if there is a co-signer, they will be responsible for the debt. However, if there is no estate to collect from the credit cards can not pursue collections from the family. They may try to get the family to pay the debt, but can not legally force them to. Simply mail a copy of the death certificate to the credit card company (certified mail) and they should take care of the rest.

Inheritance laws vary
Inheritance laws vary by state. If the state you live in (or the deceased lived in invokes "community family property" laws or "joint and several" provisions, heirs to an estate may be deemed responsible for the debts of a deceased person.

In most cases this has nothing to do with being a relative and everything to do with being an heir. The rationale is that anyone staking claim to the assets of an estate, should also be willing to accept its liabilities.

It depends

That would depend on if the person is the only account holder or if the person is married and lives in a community property state. When a person dies and is the only account holder, the person's debts and assets are generally handled by the state probate court. State laws govern what property is exempted from probate procedure and what is exempt. If the deceased was married and lived in a community property state, the surviving spouse is usually responsible for most debts regardless of who held the account.

Answer 4

When my husband passed away two years ago, I consulted with a bankruptcy attorney who told me that when a spouse dies and none of the bills were in the other spouse's name , then the surviving spouse is not responsible for the deceased spouse's bills left behind. Now, that doesn't mean that the creditors won't try and get their money but he told me to tear up the mail and throw it out. My husband was unable to get life insurance because of his many medical problems and I was left with nothing, but money can't replace a life and I love and miss him more than ever.
If the medical bills and credit card bills were in both your names, then you would be responsible ....if not , you are not ...as a fellow widow, you are in my prayers. God Bless You and keep you..Stef in Virginia..

Answer 5

As for his medical bills YES- generally a spouse is responsible for the necessities of life for a spouse or minor children.

As for charge cards maybe yes; maybe no. If you were not a co-owner of the account NO. If you were, yes. However, if he left no separate estate then I am not sure how they can collect. IE if his insurance listed you as beneficiary and you were joint owners of property then what would they have to collect upon.

Answer 6

As long as you were still married and not seperated at the time of death you are responsible for the medical bills. The credit card is another story. Are you an authorized user of the card? Did he use your name to get the credit card? If yes to either question you are definately responsible.

Answer 7

I am so very sorry for your loss.

Yes you are responsible. When my mother passed away my father was responsible for all the medical bills, etc.. And then when my father passed my sister was named Executor of his estate. Which basically meant that she got all his debts. Not myself or my brother. But the companies had only 6 months to collect any debt after his demise. After the 6 months were over she was free and clear. He lived with me for 5 years - taking care of him - until he moved to stay with my sister. She lives in New Jersey and that is also where he passed away.

Answer 8

Not necessarily. Some debts are attached to the "estate" of the deceased and others aren't, it also depends on the laws of the state. I would check with an attorney in your area. There are a LOT more details to it but that is what I know about it.

Answer 9

Unfortunately yes. Spouses are always responsible for the bills.

Answer 10

Even you being accepted person does not propose you're reliable those funds owed bypass along with your husband deliver affirmation to the mastercard agencies and that they'd desire to then end writing to you. in the event that they proceed to write down then deliver a letter of criticism that would desire to be the tip of it yet do not pay the money owed below any circumstances.