My question involves collection proceedings in the State of: CA
My grandfather died many years ago. When he died my mother cancelled all his subscrictions. 2-3 years ago my mother received a phone call from a collection agency saying that my grandfather owed money for his subscription to the Yellow Pages. She told them that A) he is dead and B) it was cancelled.
Fast forward to today. Agency (not sure if it is the same one) calls here and says SHE still owes money for this debt. They tell her that they have her recorded saying that SHE was a partner to his business (where the subscription was tied to) and that she must pay the debt or they are going to attack her credit. My mother was never a partner to the business, she never even worked for it (it was a general contractor/engineering business and she is a real estate agent!).
Questions:
1) Can she be held liable for the debts of her father?
2) If she does nothing, can they attack her credit without a court judgment?
3) What would be an appropriate response to the agency to get them to stop bothering her?
Thank you.

