Q: My mother passed away do I have to sell her house to pay her debt?
Her only asset is the house but I would like to keep the house because my son and his wife moved in with my mother before she passed away and are still currently living there. I am the executor of the estate which is located in Pennsylvania. Do I have to sell the house to pay off her credit card debt and medical bills? She owes around $12,000.00 for credit cards and medical bills.
A: You will need to pay all costs of administration, debts and inheritance tax before proceeds can be distributed. If you wish to keep the house, you may be able to re-finance and use the cash to pay those items. You need to get legal advice to help you with this.
Kenneth V Zichi agrees with this answer
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