Debt collector chasing a debt from my late Dad..

fluffnutter

hippyadam wrote: »

That is unfortunately not true. If you ignore them, it is not harassment for them to continue to chase the debt. You have to explain why the debt is not due or disputed and who to take it up with first. Then if they continue to bother you it is harassment.

Do not ignore these letters!

If your concerned about potential costs, call the brief explain the situation and see what he says. :beer:

hippy, I'm not disputing what you say because, like I say, I'm not an expert. But I am interested to know more.

Why can a debt collector pursue someone who is not liable for a debt? The fact that the OP is the debtor's relation is irrelevant. Personal debts are not 'inherited' and the OP has no more connection with this debt than I do.

If you receive letters or calls about a debt that's not yours, then surely you're entitled to ignore them completely?

Optimist

fluffnutter wrote: »

hippy, I'm not disputing what you say because, like I say, I'm not an expert. But I am interested to know more.

Why can a debt collector pursue someone who is not liable for a debt? The fact that the OP is the debtor's relation is irrelevant. Personal debts are not 'inherited' and the OP has no more connection with this debt than I do.

If you receive letters or calls about a debt that's not yours, then surely you're entitled to ignore them completely?

The estate or in this case the beneficiary's are still liable for any debts that come to light after the estate has been distributed within the time limits of the Limitation Act and assuming of course the debts are genuine !

I suggested the solicitor who acted as executor as they will be able to give the correct advice.

Temrael

Thanks for that Optimist. The Limitation Act would mean 6 years in this case? So I guess we could be held liable?

Maybe it comes down to whether Dad can be seen to owe them anything at all given that he had travel insurance at the time?

I've yet to have a response from the debt collection agency to my email and can see what the solicitor says should I get one.

fluffnutter

Thanks all. I didn't know about the Limitation Act. Understand now.

muskoka

I would take the correspondence to your solicitor and ask his advice. Maybe he will advise you to pay the debt, or alternately he may write one letter to the debt collection agency to get them off of your back???

Starrystarrynight

Can you find any trace of the travel insurance policy that your dad had? If he had adquate cover at that time, and it can be proved, then maybe they will be liable to settle the bill.

Temrael

Thanks for that, all I've found so far is an entry on his credit card statement just before he went that looks like an insurance premium. Assuming he *was* covered though, can they still claim from him/us on the basis that they claim he didn't provide details of this insurance?