Q: Am I responsible for deceased father's medical bills if I am executrix and there was no probate?
My parent had put me on the house deed few years prior to their death. They passed in June things moved quick I got my official deed and sold the home last month. They also had a car that did have to go through probate and I got the new title in my name and the car was gifted to a family member. I paid off all the credit card dept, a few medical billls. utilities and everything is up to date and taken care of. The hospital and insurance made it sound as though all hospital and hospice were covered over 99%. Today a large bill came in their name from this hospital hopefully I believe a billing error. I am trying not to panic here hoping they straighten it out. I am reading that as the executrix is my responsibility to pay for medical bills. Since main assets did not go to probate and left to me all with my name POD which are all closed out now and in my name, am I responsible for this medical bill? Sorry I hope I am making sense. Thank you for your help.
A: What you were allowed to do is variously called "small estate probate" or "administration by affidavit". Procedures for this vary from state to state. Did anything you signed say that you agreed to pay creditor claims? Whether you are responsible for this may depend upon that.
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