Asked in Consumer Law for Pennsylvania

Q: In the state of Pennsylvana: If a man dies, is his wife responsible for any of his credit card debts?

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1 Lawyer Answer
David B. Levin
David B. Levin
Answered
  • Consumer Law Lawyer
  • Chicago, IL

A: Generally speaking, a surviving spouse is not responsible for the deceased spouse's credit card debt, although the executor of the estate may have an obligation to pay those debts out of the decedent's estate.

There are also certain exceptions, such as when the surviving spouse was a joint holder of the credit account, or used the account.

It's worth noting that a creditor or debt collector who attempts to collect from a surviving spouse by misrepresenting her obligation, harassment or other unfair practices may be violating consumer protection statutes and could be liable to the surviving spouse for money damages. If you find yourself in that situation, contact a consumer financial protection attorney in your area.

*David Levin is the Partner in charge of UpRight Law's consumer rights litigation department. UpRight Law is a national law firm with licensed attorneys providing bankruptcy and consumer legal services in all 50 states. He is licensed in Illinois, Ohio and West Virginia, as well as several United States District Courts. He has 22 years of litigation experience, the last 18 of which have been focused on consumer rights litigation. This response is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice. For legal advice, consult an attorney licensed in your state with the appropriate expertise.

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