What happens if your parent dies with debt?
Matthew Harrington
Updated on January 23, 2026
When people die, their debts don’t disappear. Those debts are now owed by their estates. These assets can include “pay on death” bank accounts, life insurance policies, retirement plans and other accounts that name beneficiaries, as long as the beneficiary isn’t the estate.
What debt is family responsible for after death?
Generally, the deceased person’s estate is responsible for paying any unpaid debts. The estate’s finances are handled by the personal representative, executor, or administrator. That person pays any debts from the money in the estate, not from their own money.
When a parent dies with credit card debt?
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.
Do you inherit your parents IRS debt?
First, you need to pay off any debts your parent owed at the time they died. If that parent owed taxes to the IRS, they will be included in the debts that must be paid. Income generated before and after date of death. Any income generated after the day of death is earned by the deceased’s estate.
Who is responsible for a deceased parent’s credit card debt?
The children of a parent who passes away are in a unique position that can seem very beneficial. When it comes to distributing assets after a parent has passed away, the children are second in line right behind the surviving spouse. But the situation is very different when it comes to credit card debt.
Do you inherit your parents’credit card debt?
Do you inherit your parents’ credit card debt? A: In most cases, children are not responsible for their parents’ debts after they pass away. However, if you are a joint account holder on any credit cards or loans, you would be liable for paying off the amounts due.
When do children inherit responsibility for parents debts?
Inheritable Debts #1: Credit Card Debt: If you cosigned a credit card with your children, debt collectors would likely hassle your kids once you pass on. Debt collectors can be aggressive, but once your children issue them with a death certificate, they are legally obligated to stop accruing interest on the credit card debt
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.