Q: Am I responsible for my mother's credit card debt as POA?
I am the Power of Attorney (POA) for my living mother, who has a will without any specific clauses addressing her debts. She has credit card debt that I am concerned about. I have not signed anything, nor am I a co-signer on her credit cards, but I am on her checking account. Am I personally responsible for her credit card debt?
A: No, if you did not cosign to be responsible you are not liable for her debts. If anything were to happen to your mom and she became deceased, her estate would be responsible for any debts in a probate, if there is a probate, you still would not have any responsibility. In many instances, if there is no probate or estate assets, the creditors like credit card companies will simply not end up getting paid.
Terrence H Thorgaard agrees with this answer
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