Widower

jansid

Sir,My dear wife passed away a few day`s ago.She had a credit card in her own name and as far as I`m aware there were no insurance taken out.There is £1.700 still owing.I handed the card in to the bank today,(Halifax) and they insist I must pay my late wifes outstanding amount.As my name is not on the card are they correct.
John.

Caz3121

the card debt would be paid from the estate rather than you. Did she have any savings or assets
sorry for your loss

Davie2909

Where are you from? If your in scotland then they have no legal right to do that as the debt dies with the person. If its England then they can ask you however if its defaults then it wouldn't effect your credit rating

jonesMUFCforever

The debt forms part of her estate. First call will be the funeral bill.
If there are no funds to pay then the bank has to write off the debt.

opinions4u

Davie2909 wrote: »

Where are you from? If your in scotland then they have no legal right to do that as the debt dies with the person. If its England then they can ask you however if its defaults then it wouldn't effect your credit rating

I'm fairly sure that there's no difference between Scotland and England on this.

The deceased's estate is responsible for repaying the loan.

If there's nothing left in the estate to repay it, the card issue has little alternative but to write the debt off.

jansid wrote: »

My dear wife passed away a few day`s ago.She had a credit card in her own name and as far as I`m aware there were no insurance taken out.There is £1.700 still owing.I handed the card in to the bank today,(Halifax) and they insist I must pay my late wifes outstanding amount.As my name is not on the card are they correct.

Hi John. Sorry for your loss. These things aren't easy.

The bit I've bolded is quite important. If they've said you are personally liable for the debt then you should complain. Somebody needs training. If they have said the executor of the estate is responsible for ensuring payments are made then they are correct. This can mean the executor making payments out of their own pocket while probate is obtained, and having those funds returned later. Sometimes the card issuer freezes interest on death. But this isn't a legal requirement, they don't have to.

Here's a useful link on what to do when somebody dies.