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Is a spouse responsible for debt after death in Michigan?

Author

Isabella Turner

Updated on January 26, 2026

As Michigan is not a community property state, if a loan or credit card was held only in the name of the deceased spouse, the surviving spouse is not responsible for the debt. Even one late payment can affect your credit score.

When a husband dies is the wife responsible for debt?

Am I Responsible for My Deceased Spouse’s Debt? When your spouse dies, their debt survives, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re responsible for paying it. The debt of a deceased person is paid from their estate, which is simply the sum of all the assets they owned at death.

Do I have to pay my partners debt when they die?

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.

Is a spouse responsible for medical bills after death in Michigan?

Spouses were held liable for the medical expenses incurred by their spouse under the Doctrine of Necessaries until the Michigan Supreme Court abolished the common law doctrine in 1998. Therefore, there is a good chance that you are not responsible for your loved one’s medical bills after his or her death.

Is a surviving spouse liable for credit card debt?

The good news is that in most cases, you are not personally liable for your deceased spouse’s debts. Both the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) confirm that family members usually do not have to pay the debt of deceased relatives using their personal assets.

Can a spouse be liable for a debt in Michigan?

If you and your spouse are Michigan residents and were residents when you incurred the debt, then the rule I just outlined applies to you. However, if you resided in a community property state then more complex rules apply.

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

If state law requires a spouse to pay a particular type of debt. If state law requires the executor or administrator of the deceased person’s estate to pay an outstanding bill out of property that was jointly owned by the surviving and deceased spouse.

Who is responsible for your spouse’s medical bills?

You could be responsible for your spouse’s or parent’s medical bills if you signed a guarantee for the medical provider. Some medical providers attempt to protect their rights to collect medical debts by seeking a guarantee from a family member. The hospital or doctor may request that you sign a personal guarantee for the debt.

Who is responsible for credit card debt in Michigan?

As Michigan is not a community property state, if a loan or credit card was held only in the name of the deceased spouse, the surviving spouse is not responsible for the debt. In addition, if you are listed as an authorized user or second account holder on the accounts of the deceased,…