Death of Primary Cardholder?

happyhaddock_2

Hi, please can anyone tell me if the primary cardholder dies does the secondary cardholder become liable for the debt?.

Many thanks for any help.:)

opinions4u

No they don't.

The estate of the deceased is liable for the debt.

The secondary cardholder should stop using the card with immediate effect though.

lisyloo

The easy answer is NO.
The agreement is with the primary card holder and it's their debt.

However the primary card holders estate is liable.
So if there is money in the estate and the secondary card holder is a beneficiary of the estate then it will mean the seconary card holder will inherit less because the primary card holders estate will be reduced by the debt.

happyhaddock_2

Thanks for the replies.

There is no estate, it was my dad who passed away very suddenly, my parents are in sheltered housing living on state pension and disability. Will I have to prove this and then they will write off the debt, they can't make my mum liable as a secondary cardholder?.

Thanks again for any help.

molerat

No they can't although some will try it on so be aware of this.

jonesMUFCforever

I agree with most of the posts above but after the date of death - if the card has been used by mum she would be liable for any transactions.

happyhaddock_2

Thanks everyone, the card hasn't been used since he died, also can they change the title on the account to my mum (as they have done) as this implies that she is liable, or is it just a formality.

Ta x

opinions4u

happyhaddock wrote: »

Thanks everyone, the card hasn't been used since he died, also can they change the title on the account to my mum (as they have done) as this implies that she is liable, or is it just a formality.

She needs to get this changed. She does not want personal ownership of this debt transferring to her.

The title of the account should be changed to something like "Personal representatitves of Mr XXX deceased". The executors of the will should then look to settle the account from the proceeds of his estate, or prove to the credit card company that there are no assets to pay them with.

happyhaddock_2

They've already changed the title, got a letter this morning. How do I get them to change it again?.

chattychappy

Simply changing the title shouldn't make a difference. Your mother would have to sign a credit agreement to open a new account, or some other kind of document to have the debt in her name.

I suppose from an IT point of view it might be wise to get it changed back in case it interferes with your mother's credit rating (if that's important).

happyhaddock_2

Thank peeps think I'll have to ring them on Monday, I can't find any info on any official banking websites that can confirm that mum isn't liable (OFT, BBA etc) does anyone know where I'm best looking.