credit card question

pam333 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-05-2004, 02:51 PM

Hi. First, thanks to you who answered my question about surviving Christmas after the death of my dh (Oct.) Now, in Nov I rec'd 2 credit cards bills in dh's name. I returned them with Death Certificates. But the other day I received another bill from one of them that says the payment is past due,etc. It was addressed to "the Estate of......" so they know he is dead. I have heard that they cannot collect a credit card debt from anyone,including spouse, if it was in his name only.(An "unsecured debt"). Is this correct? Are they just trying to make me think I have to pay it? Or do I? It's not a very large amount as credit cards go, but more than I can afford to pay off now. Pam

terry1156 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-05-2004, 05:31 PM

This is not something that I have any background expeirience on, but I did do a bit of surfing on the net.

It appears that you are not liable. The credit card company will try and collect from the estate, but if no money was left then they can not collect. If the estate doesn't pay, then the amount will be written off against his name.

Here is some information that may be of help <A HREF="http://www.faqfarm.com/Credit/Card/1309">Who is responsible for your credit card debt after you die?</">

pam333 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-06-2004, 02:49 PM

Thanks. I understood almost all of the answers on that site

. And it seems I'm not responsible. It's only about $2-$3000 so I don't believe they would pursue it very far beyond trying to make me believe I AM responsible.