How long after someone dies are you responsible for their debt?
William Jenkins
Updated on January 21, 2026
First things first: At death, your assets become your estate. The process of dividing up debt after your death is called probate. The length of time creditors have to make a claim against the estate depends on where you live. It can range anywhere from three months to nine months.
How long can a creditor come after you in Texas?
four years
The statute of limitations on debt in Texas is four years. This section of the law, introduced in 2019, states that a payment on the debt (or any other activity) does not restart the clock on the statute of limitations.
What personal property can be seized in a Judgement in Texas?
Personal property that can be seized in a judgment is the type of property that does not meet one of the numerous exemptions available under the Texas Constitution, Texas Property Code 41.001, Texas Property Code 42.002, Texas Property Code 42.0021, the Texas Homestead Law and other applicable laws.
Is there a statute of limitations on debt in Texas?
The statute of limitations on debt in Texas is four years. This section of the law, introduced in 2019, states that a payment on the debt (or any other activity) does not restart the clock on the statute of limitations. It also requires that debt buyers provide written notice to a consumer if the limitations period has expired.
Is there Statute of limitations on debt collection?
According to the law, you can no longer be sued for a debt that is time-barred.” While you will still technically be expected to pay the debt and it will remain on your credit report, you can’t be legally forced to repay. The statute of limitations on debt collection by state varies.
What happens when the Statute of limitations has passed?
If the statute of limitations has passed, there may be less incentive for you to pay the debt. If the credit reporting time limit (a date independent of the statute of limitations) also has passed, you may be even less inclined to pay the debt. These are the statutes of limitation, measured by years, in each state, as of June 2019.
How long do you have to pay off unsecured debt after death?
For unsecured debts, the time limit ranges from 3-6 months in most states. State laws require executors to post notice of the death, either in a newspaper or directly to known creditors to give them a chance to file a claim. No claims are accepted after the time frame has expired.