Feds lay down rules for contacting relatives of deceased debtors: "Generally speaking, family members (and, of course, friends) are not obligated to pay -- out of their own pockets -- the debts solely acquired by a deceased relative or friend.
If, however, a family member or friend co-signed a credit card or loan application with the now-deceased person, that relative or friend likely is obligated to repay the debt.
If the deceased left a will and the estate has gone to probate, debt collectors can attempt to satisfy their claims from the assets of that estate. 'Most debts incurred in life do not simply vanish upon death ... ,' the FTC wrote in its 33-page 'Statement of Policy' issued on July 20, 2011. 'Regardless of whether the decedent was current or delinquent on a bill at the time of death, creditors and collectors, for a period of time, generally are permitted under state law to seek to recover from the decedent's estate.'"
If, however, a family member or friend co-signed a credit card or loan application with the now-deceased person, that relative or friend likely is obligated to repay the debt.
If the deceased left a will and the estate has gone to probate, debt collectors can attempt to satisfy their claims from the assets of that estate. 'Most debts incurred in life do not simply vanish upon death ... ,' the FTC wrote in its 33-page 'Statement of Policy' issued on July 20, 2011. 'Regardless of whether the decedent was current or delinquent on a bill at the time of death, creditors and collectors, for a period of time, generally are permitted under state law to seek to recover from the decedent's estate.'"
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