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The Daily Insight Hub

What happens to hospital bills when you die?

Author

Matthew Harrington

Updated on February 19, 2026

Paying Off Outstanding Debts When a person dies, the executor of their estate is responsible for paying off any outstanding debts using assets left behind by the deceased. If the deceased still does not have enough money left, even after selling all assets, then the debts are usually forgiven.

Are medical bills forgiven after death?

Your medical bills don’t go away when you die, but that doesn’t mean your survivors have to pay them. Instead, medical debt—like all debt remaining after you die—is paid by your estate. Estate is just a fancy way to say the total of all the assets you owned at death.

When someone passes away what happens to their debt?

Debt doesn’t simply disappear when you die. But that doesn’t necessarily mean someone else has to find a way to pay all off your debts. Creditors can collect what is owed from your estate. If you have a co-signer on a loan or line of credit, the co-signer will be responsible for paying the debt after you die.

What happens to a deceased person’s medical bills?

When the estate closes, the deceased person’s debts are typically wiped out if they haven’t been paid. However, there are some instances where you might be required to pay for these medical bills .

Who is guarantor of deceased spouse’s medical bills?

In particular, you mentioned that you paid for your spouse’s medical insurance, which does not necessarily mean you are the guarantor of your spouse’s medical bills. A lawyer will advise you of your rights and liabilities based on your state laws and the documents you signed before and during your spouse’s medical procedures.

What happens when you are owed money by a deceased person?

Probate is a legal process for administering the estate of someone who died. During probate, anyone who is owed money can file claims with the probate court requesting payment from the assets in the deceased’s estate. The “executor,” or person managing the estate,…

Can a deceased spouse’s medical bills be forgiven?

I am the primary on the medical insurance. I was the only one working at the time, my spouse was on disability. Understand that most debts are not forgiven when the debtor dies. Examine how living in a community property state affects your liability for debt.