Q: If I die, is my brother responsible for any debts that I incurred while alive? We both live in Missouri.
I just want to make sure I take out an insurance policy to keep from him having to bear any burden.
A: When you die, whatever assets are in your estate will be used to pay your debts first. Family members are not responsible for your debts.
Nina Whitehurst agrees with this answer
A: Attorney Kornblum is correct. I would add that if you take out a life insurance policy and name your brother as the beneficiary, the proceeds will bypass your estate and be paid directly to him. He will not be obligated to use the insurance proceeds to pay your debts.
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.
