What happens to credit cards when the person passes away??

lou47lee

My mother inlaw has sadly passed away and we have come across 3 credit cards in her sole name (not joint with my father inlaw), what happens with them?, does the debts die with u? or does father in law have to pay them off, she has no assets, no will, no estate at all other than her personal belongings, there is no way father inlaw can pay them as he dosent have the money and will struggle himself now she has gone

Hope someone can help us x

Torry_Quine

If there is no money to pay these debts then they die with her. The only way they would be paid is it she left any money or assets and as she didn't her husband isn't liable. However they will try to tell him he has to pay so tell him this.

lou47lee

Thank you, it's myself and my husband that is dealing with it all at the moment as he is too devastated (was sudden although she has been ill for a long time)

So do i just contact them to say she has passed away?

Torry_Quine

lou47lee wrote: »

Thank you, it's myself and my husband that is dealing with it all at the moment as he is too devastated (was sudden although she has been ill for a long time)

So do i just contact them to say she has passed away?

They will probably want at least to see her death certificate.

jonesMUFCforever

The debt forms part of her estate.
If after paying the funeral bill there is insufficent funds to repay the cards they probably will be written off.

lou47lee

Yes of course I will send them the death certificate! Thanks for your help x