[kevmac]

My Mother-in-Law lives in Florida. My Father-in-Law ran up a single bank credit card for years without her knowledge, that was only in his name. When he was paying the bills he would pay the mininmum amount due and the interest kept adding up. When he got sick a few years ago my mother-in-law started paying the bills and found out about this bill and was paying $100.00+ each month to get this debt down. My father-in-law has now passed away on Aprill 11, 2009 and I called the credit card people to let them know that he is now deceased. They said that even though my mother-in-law never used the card she is responsible because, they said that she was an authorized user. She says she never asked for or used any card associated with this credit account. The credit card people told me that she should stop paying for now until she heard from them. They said that the account is now closed and will NOT acure any late payments or additional interest. She has now been contacted by letter and telephone and the are demanding at least $200.00+ each month. The balance of the bill is approximately $11000.00. It was about $30,000. when she found out about this card. Is she reponsible for her deceased husbands credit card debt? There is no probate as he was removed of ownership of everything they owned and was not on accounts that she held as she was trying to get medicaid for him when he died. If she is responsible, is there a minimum that she must pay other then what they demand? She is 77 years old and now only gets Social Security, as his pension died with him. Please help.

[divemedic]

said that even though my mother-in-law never used the card she is responsible because, they said that she was an authorized user.

Lie. AU is not a party to the contract, and is not responsible for the debt.

[Mr. Knowitall]

Are you stating that she's voluntarily paid $19,000 of the debt? As divemedic indicates, being an authorized user of itself creates no liability for the debt.

There is no probate as he was removed of ownership of everything they owned and was not on accounts that she held as she was trying to get medicaid for him when he died.

If he deliberately impoverished himself by giving his assets away despite knowing that he owed these debts, and thus his estate lacks the resources to pay his debts, it's conceivable that a creditor will attack the transfers as having been of a fraudulent nature, and try to recover their money from the people who received his assets.