Death of spouse and credit card debts?

[willtheywontthey]

May I ask advice on this issue which I know nothing about. To do with married couple and one dies.

 

If a wife or husband dies and the deceased had his / her name only on a credit card / agreement then what happens to the debt outstanding?

 

Does the surviving spouse have to pay? Does any debt outstanding on the card come out of a joint account? What is the property (home) was in the name of both of them and what if the ownership of property (ie deeds - no mortgage) was in mae of the deceased who had outstanding debts?

 

From my experience with their letters etc I presume the credit card companies don't simply say ' sorry for your bereavement we'll write the debt off?)

 

Advice on this particularly grateful due to v recent bereavement in family.

[PriorityOne]

May I ask advice on this issue which I know nothing about. To do with married couple and one dies.

 

If a wife or husband dies and the deceased had his / her name only on a credit card / agreement then what happens to the debt outstanding?

 

Does the surviving spouse have to pay? No... Does any debt outstanding on the card come out of a joint account? Only if they know about it... What is the property (home) was in the name of both of them and what if the ownership of property (ie deeds - no mortgage) was in mae of the deceased who had outstanding debts? The executor of the estate normally sorts out any outstanding accounts but to be honest, I would be inclined to write to the credit card companies and say that the person has passed away. The may want to see a copy of the death certificate.... bu they're not entitled to any other info. at this point. Just see what they do after that but don't talk to anyone on the phone or they will try and get info. out of the surviving spouse.

 

From my experience with their letters etc I presume the credit card companies don't simply say ' sorry for your bereavement we'll write the debt off?)

 

Depends on which company it is and the amount of the debt in question.

 

Advice on this particularly grateful due to v recent bereavement in family.

 

I'm very sorry for your loss.... and am a little rusty in this area but creditors cannot sue a deceased person as such. What they can do however, is to try and make a claim against the estate... if they know there's any money floating about.... which is why I said not to talk to anyone on the phone.

 

At this point, I would just write to each one and inform them that the person has passed away and take things from there according to the responses you get. If they try to get you on the phone, just say that you're not up to talking abou things at present and need them to corespond in writing only. In fact, put this in the same letter to each creditor. It may be worth sending each letter off by rec. delivery as well... so that you know they've received it.

 

[harrassed senior]

There is a wealth of information of the kind you seek at:

 

What happens to debts when someone dies? : Directgov - Money, tax and benefits

[Revenant]

Hi wtwt

Sorry to hear of your bereavement

As far as I'm aware a "Debt" is a personal thing unless the original account was taken out in joint names eg

Mrs Revenant opens a credit card account and falls off her broom from a great height breaking her rather substantial neck the debt goes with her

If I was mug enough to have signed up to that account as well then I would deserve to be chased for the debt

Hope that gives a slightly light hearted explanation of what I think but of course more info will follow

Good luck

R

ps . . There's no Mrs Revenant just in case any thinks I'm being nasty

[Revenant]

The replies come in quicker than you think

I didn't realise that a debt could be chased via the deceased Estate so didn't mean to mislead in my original post

R

[citizenB]

papillon, I will start a new thread for you - you have tacked onto the end of an ancient thread.. will put a link back here for you and also send you one via private message.

 

SG, will move your post over as well.

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?434259-Spouse-died-Unsecured-debts-being-pursued-by-Collection-Agents

 

^^^^^^^^^^ New thread started for Papillon7

[oleg]

I would imagine that someone newly bereaved may well find Revenant's broomstick / broken neck post highly distressing. Moreover it doesn't offer anything useful to this sensitive topic. Would it not be better to delete it rather than let it upset people searching for guidance?

[citizenB]

That post has been around since 2010 oleg and is actually directed at revenant himself.. !!

 

Thread closed to avoid further additions on an ancient thread.