Q: My dad owed money on credit cards but has since passed on. I recently got a call from a collector about this, but
shouldn't the account have been closed after I informed the credit card company that my dad has died and sent in a death certificate?
A:
Debt obligations do not terminate with death or notification of death of an account holder. The debt obligations are transferred to the estate of the deceased. Until the matter is resolved, the estate is liable for the debt and collections can (and do) occur. Likely, a probate case will need to be filed (if this has not already occurred).
You may need to hire an attorney to assist.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.