problems following death of husband

PasturesNew

The trouble is, a lot of people talk the talk when they are alive, assuring people they're "well looked after" in the will, or left something. At the end of the day though, what's in the actual will, or not, is what's law. I was always being told we'd "all be well provided for" .... except the will was erroneous and badly written, as were the house deeds ... and it amounted to nothing. Worse than that, I have a bunch of aunties on my shoulder waiting patiently for word of "their inheritance" as I know they were told there's something for them - and there's nothing for anybody.... it all went to my other parent through poor will writing, poor choices and a secrecy around the actual will except it seems everybody and his dog were promised they'd be all right.

maypole

Well I'm glad that is sorted, he sounds very selfish.
BUT what about the debts, do the credit card companies look kindly on situations like this, could they write off the debt? I would let all the debtors know the situation. If paying them all off would leave your friend in hardship, they might be able to help.

sleepless_saver

You say the credit cards are in joint names. But often one person is the cardholder and the other is an additional cardholder. The additional cardholder is not liable for the debt.

If she is in that position, then she should contact one of the debt charities e.g. CCCS for advice. (Actually it might be an idea for her to do that anyway to see what advice they can give on the debts.)

Further thought - has she looked at claiming bereavement benefits?

londonsurrey

Why do people do that "talk the talk" thing? Don't they love the person that the money goes to?

Because while I accept that some people think they're entitled to things they haven't even been promised, if they've been promised, then the beneficiary of the will has just been set up for a lot of hassle.

Kazz123

she is in negotiations with the credit card companies at the moment. She can't get bereavment allowance because she isn't over 45. She isn't going to "go under" financially as her family are very supportive and wouldn't let this happen, neither would her friends, and she has always been quite good with money which is why she's finding it hard.
Her stepson doesn't love her, they always "got on" but they were never close.

londonsurrey

I was 38 when my husband died. I got some kind of one-off bereavement allowance for £2000, which basically paid for the funeral. It wasn't means tested.

Kazz123

yeah she got the one off payment but not entitled to allowance as she's 41.

sleepless_saver

Kazz123 wrote: »

she is in negotiations with the credit card companies at the moment.

The credit card companies will try to get the money from her whether or not she is actually liable for the debt. If she is the additional cardholder she is not liable, and can explain that there is no money in late husband's estate to pay the debt.