Can a credit card company collect after the death of a spouse?

Normally, the only debts credit card companies are legally allowed to pursue after the death of a spouse are debts from joint credit accounts. In the event that a collection agency repeatedly calls a surviving spouse trying to collect debt from a non-joint account, the survivor should seek legal help.

Can a surviving spouse pay off a deceased spouse’s debt?

In community property states and depending on that state’s law, the surviving spouse may be required to use community property to pay debts of a deceased spouse. The community property states include Alaska (if a special agreement is signed), Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin.

Who is responsible for credit card debt after death?

After the death of a spouse, the survivor is generally only responsible to pay credit card debt from joint accounts. In almost all other cases, the deceased spouse’s estate is responsible for paying all debts, including credit card debts.

What does a surviving spouse get under Oklahoma law?

In an Oklahoma statute that is equal parts interesting and antiquated, the surviving spouse is entitled to get all of the following items after the death of the first spouse: 1. All family pictures. 2. A pew or other sitting in any house of worship. 3. A lot or lots in any burial ground.

Can a credit card company contact a decedent?

Credit card companies and debt collectors are allowed to contact a decedent’s spouse, administrator or executor of the estate, guardian, or any other person with authority to pay the decedent’s debts from his or her estate.

Can a spouse be responsible for a deceased person’s debt?

An authorized user is not usually responsible for the amount owed. • If the person was your spouse and your state law requires a spouse to pay that debt. Unless an exception applies, you do not have to take personal responsibility for the debt of the deceased person. You are not obligated to pay their debt from your own assets.

So in some states a surviving spouse might be responsible for the payments of credit cards opened in their spouse’s name. You’ll want to check your state’s laws and speak with the issuer about any credit card debt after the death of your spouse.

What should a surviving spouse do with a joint credit card?

With joint accounts, the surviving spouse has two main options: Close the account and pay off any balance, or request that the account be changed to an individual account in his or her name and continue to pay as agreed.

When does your dead spouse’s debt is your debt?

For some, their credit card debt was incurred prior to retirement. Debts are hard enough to repay when working, but even more so in retirement as your income drops. However, we also see many seniors growing credit card debt after retirement. Fixed income and turning to credit cards to make ends meet?

Who is responsible for my husband’s credit card debt?

If you are a joint account holder on your husband’s credit cards, you will likely be responsible for the debts on those credit cards. As a joint account holder, you share full responsibility for the debt under the terms of the contract, even if you didn’t make the charges.

Who is responsible for paying off credit card debt after death?

After someone has passed, their estate is responsible for paying off any debts owed, including those from credit cards. Relatives typically aren’t responsible for using their own money to pay off credit card debt after death.

Can a debt collector contact a deceased spouse?

It depends. Here is when you can be contacted: A debt collector is allowed to contact the deceased person’s spouse looking for the person authorized to pay the deceased spouse’s debts, such as the executor or administrator of the estate.