Can debt be transferred to children upon death?
Matthew Harrington
Updated on February 05, 2026
The simple answer is no—the debts of your parents, partner, or children do not become yours if they pass away, nor will your debts be transferred to someone else should you die. For example, consider who is responsible for credit card debt after death when the card or account has two cosigners.
What happens if someone dies and leaves debt?
When someone dies, debts they leave are paid out of their ‘estate’ (money and property they leave behind). You’re only responsible for their debts if you had a joint loan or agreement or provided a loan guarantee – you aren’t automatically responsible for a husband’s, wife’s or civil partner’s debts.
Are parents responsible for deceased child’s debts?
But you can’t inherit debt from your parents or from anybody else. Instead, when someone dies, the debts for which they were solely responsible are recoverable from their estate. The executor (or administrator if no will has been left) is responsible for paying any outstanding debts.
What happens if my parent dies and the House goes to my child?
Another exemption is a transfer to a spouse or child by the borrower while still alive. If your parent dies and the home goes to you, the mortgage lender can’t accelerate the loan simply because the property transferred at death.
Can you assume a house loan after a parent dies?
When a mortgaged home is inherited, the mortgage’s due-on-sale clause prevents the loan from being assumed. However, relatives inheriting mortgaged homes, such as the adult children of deceased parents, can also assume their mortgages if they intend to live in those homes. Get the Best Mortgage Rate for You
Do you have to pay off debts of your parents?
Generally, no. But there are certain circumstances where children may have to pay off the debts left by their parents. A son or daughter will have to pay the debt of their mother or father, for example, if the childco-signed on a loan or is a joint account holder on a credit card.
What happens to a deceased parent’s house when it goes into foreclosure?
They’re not personally liable for the debt, and they can walk away and let the home go into foreclosure without damage to their credit or financial standing. However, if the children want to keep a deceased parent’s home, they must keep making the mortgage payments. Read More: How to Transfer Property Title When Death Occurs