What to Do About Debt Collectors after Deathĭebt collectors may contact the deceased's spouse, executor or administrator to discuss any debts left behind. Visit your state government's website to learn more about requirements where you live. This could include health care expenses or debts in connection with a house that you jointly owned. In some states, you may be responsible for paying back specific types of debt. State law requires you to pay a particular debt owed by your deceased spouse.In these states, you may be obligated to pay your deceased spouse's debt using property you shared. Alaska and Oklahoma are also considered community property states, but only if you and your spouse signed a special agreement.

These include Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin. Your spouse has died and you live in a community property state.However, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, if you were simply an 'authorized user,' you will not usually have to repay the outstanding debt. A joint account may mean you will be responsible for repaying the debt. You had a joint credit card account with the person.A co-signed account means the debt is also in your name. You co-signed a credit card account with the deceased person.You may be responsible for the deceased's debts if: However, if there isn't enough money in the estate, then generally no one else is obligated to pay. When a person dies with debt, their estate becomes responsible for paying it back. However, it's important to understand what happens to credit and debt after death. When a loved one dies, the last thing you want to think about is the person's finances. Review the deceased person's credit reports to help understand what open credit accounts they have.You can have a death notice placed on his or her credit reports.When someone passes away, his or her credit reports aren't automatically closed.

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