Q: My wife, recently passed away leaving old debt from medical bills. She had been making small payments monthly for yrs.
The debts are related to the period prior to her 65th birthday, when she became covered by Medicare The amounts collectively total in excess of $20K. My question is: As her widower am I responsible for the debt? I'm a disabled veteran age 73, at death my wife was 71. I couldn't possibly afford to pay off these debts.
A: If your name is not on those debts you are not responsible for them. However, any money she left behind solely for you would be required to pay off those debts.
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