if someone dies are the next of kin still tied to an 18 month contract

Laz123

We changed to BT Infinity about 4 months ago under my mum's name. She recently passed away. The contract is for 18 months. Are we still tied to that or can we cancel?

meerustar

If it's your Mums house and contract then surely it should be cancelled. You may have to send a copy of the death certificate.

dalesrider

If the contract was just in your mums name. Then once she died it is no longer in force.
Although they may/will need to see a copy of the death cert to confirm this.

Sorry for your loss.

railbuff

Sorry for your loss

i noticed you said

We changed to BT Infinity about 4 months ago under my mum's name.

does this mean that even though in your late mums name you were the ones actually using the service. If so i assume you will still be using or require the service, if so can you not just have the account name changed.

jb66

What would happen if you just stopped paying, the debt collectors would have no one to chase.

forgotmyname

jb66 wrote: »

What would happen if you just stopped paying, the debt collectors would have no one to chase.

Not enough facts to suggest doing this.

Is the OP still living at the property? Or is it a council property that will be empty when all the belongings have been taken?

Before you think about assets etc.

HappyMJ

Laz123 wrote: »

We changed to BT Infinity about 4 months ago under my mum's name. She recently passed away. The contract is for 18 months. Are we still tied to that or can we cancel?

The estate would be responsible but most companies will write off any cancellation charges. If you wish to keep it then you can transfer the account into your name.

UsernameAlreadyExists

The estate isn't responsible. the contract is null and void. we've been through similar with BT recently, and told them to shove it. Hard. It took a few phone calls, and some upset even when repeatedly asking specifically to be put through to the bereavement department ... only to be asked "why?" and "are you the account holder?" DUH!
They had the expectation that the contract would be passed onto the partner (who wanted to switch providers anyway), we thought different ... and argued the toss (she took out and signed the contract, nobody else did), and they backed down.
Had they pursued it ... it would have been an interesting story in the press. "Bailiffs sent to deceased's property to recover debt"

Techhead_2

UsernameAlreadyExists wrote: »

The estate isn't responsible. the contract is null and void. we've been through similar with BT recently, and told them to shove it. Hard. It took a few phone calls, and some upset even when repeatedly asking specifically to be put through to the bereavement department ... only to be asked "why?" and "are you the account holder?" DUH!
They had the expectation that the contract would be passed onto the partner (who wanted to switch providers anyway), we thought different ... and argued the toss (she took out and signed the contract, nobody else did), and they backed down.
Had they pursued it ... it would have been an interesting story in the press. "Bailiffs sent to deceased's property to recover debt"

I don't think you are right about some of that. A contract doesn't automatically become null and avoid when a person dies. (Especially for provision of a service) It all depends what the contract says and who it's between. Also there may be a claim against the estate.

An example, you would not expect a power supplier to cut the property off when the person paying dies. So there is provision to continue the contract whilst another person takes over.

To take your example 'Phone company leaves widow unable to call for help in winter weather'

Laz123

My wife and I are still at the same address because we were caring for my mum. But now she's gone I don't really want to continue the contract due to financial commitments.

Guardsman

Laz123 wrote: »

My wife and I are still at the same address because we were caring for my mum. But now she's gone I don't really want to continue the contract due to financial commitments.

I presume that you will still need a broadband connection if you are still living at the property ?
If you are cancelling due to cheaper options being available then you could ask the current provider to put you on a lower package or they may even offer you a good deal on the remaining time left on the contract in the hope you will continue using them..
Talk with them and see whats on offer.