We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Debt after death

Options
jryans10
jryans10 Posts: 4 Newbie
Hi,

My father recently passed away and he owes money to a company called CL Finance Ltd for the value of just over £9,000.

He never had any savings, by which I mean in his bank account all he had was £1,700. He didn't have a car or anything because he was disabled so he didn't really have anything.

Anyway, there was no guarantor on his debt - my mum never signed anything, nor did anyone else.

After sending in the death certificate, they then said that we may be contacted by Philips and Cohens Associates to try to recover the outstanding balance. Scared, I emailed Philips and Cohens asking how they would try to recover this and they said rest assured that it is just my late father's estate they will be taking from and they won't be touching any of the family's.

His funeral costs came to around £3,000. It came out of my money but when his money gets released they will just put it into my account so at least I get some of the £3,000 back. So obviously all his remaining money is being used on funeral expenses.

Since asking his bank HSBC for help, the man started saying to be careful because even though there is no guarantor the debt may very well still becomes part of the Widowers 'property'.

What shall we do? Obviously as his money was below the £5k threshold we didn't have to go through probate or anything like that.

Many thanks
John.

Comments

  • fatbelly
    fatbelly Posts: 22,945 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Cashback Cashier
    jryans10 wrote: »
    Since asking his bank HSBC for help, the man started saying to be careful because even though there is no guarantor the debt may very well still becomes part of the Widowers 'property'.

    I just want to reassure you that this is complete rubbish. He left £1700, funeral costs were £3k, this is a nil estate.
  • DUTR
    DUTR Posts: 12,958 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    fatbelly wrote: »
    I just want to reassure you that this is complete rubbish. He left £1700, funeral costs were £3k, this is a nil estate.

    Depends if the home is owned, they could levy a charge order on the property.
  • jryans10
    jryans10 Posts: 4 Newbie
    edited 22 May 2012 at 7:07AM
    Thanks for your reassurance and replies.

    It's just a rented council house we have.

    Thanks,
    - John.
  • CLAPTON
    CLAPTON Posts: 41,865 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 22 May 2012 at 10:10AM
    if there is no money, then there is no money and his debts die with him

    just make sure they don't try to bounce you or bully or mislead you into paying anything from your own funds
  • CLAPTON wrote: »
    if there is no money, then there is no money and his debts die with him

    just make sure they try to bounce you or bully or mislead you into paying anything from your own funds
    I think you may have left out a "don't" there!
    Are you for real? - Glass Half Empty??
    :coffee:
  • CLAPTON
    CLAPTON Posts: 41,865 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I think you may have left out a "don't" there!


    thanks
    I've edited suitably
  • getmore4less
    getmore4less Posts: 46,882 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper I've helped Parliament
    I have had dealings with Philips and Cohen.

    They seemed to be OK, they work on behalf of a lot of companies.

    They made it clear to me when I was paying a debt that I personaly did not have to pay it.
    (I knew what I was doing)
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350.9K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.5K Spending & Discounts
  • 243.9K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 598.8K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.9K Life & Family
  • 257.2K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.