Results 1 to 3 of 3
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Suffolk County, NY
    Posts
    2

    Default Is Widow Responsible for Late Husbands Credit Debt

    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.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Posts
    853

    Default Re: Is Widow Responsible for Late Husbands Credit Debt

    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.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default Re: Is Widow Responsible for Late Husbands Credit Debt

    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.
    Quote Quoting kevmac
    View Post
    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.

    1. Sponsored Links
       

Similar Threads

  1. Debt Collectors: Is a Widow Responsible for Medical Debt
    By rshotzma in forum Debts and Collections
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 07-27-2010, 03:24 PM
  2. Debt Collectors: Am I Responsible for My Deceased Husbands Medical Debt
    By Shauna in forum Debts and Collections
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 01-14-2010, 09:25 AM
  3. Property Division: Credit Card Coming After Me for My Ex-Husbands Debt
    By bjsurrem in forum Divorce, Annulment and Separation
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 11-05-2009, 05:10 PM
  4. Debt Collectors: Can Credit Company Garnish MY Bank Account If Debt Is In Husbands Name?
    By askingquestions in forum Debts and Collections
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 02-19-2008, 12:55 PM
  5. Debt Collectors: As Authorized User, Am I Responsible for Late Husband's Credit Card Debt?
    By Colorado Widow in forum Debts and Collections
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 01-25-2007, 10:08 AM
 
 
Sponsored Links

Legal Help, Information and Resources