My mum just passed away and Philips and Cohen are chasing debts

Nina1986

This is my first blog post and I just wanted to see if other people on here have faced somewhat similar situation. My mum passed away at the end of October. She had a card with Vanquish credit company and owed about £1200. I informed them that my mum's estate was insolvent in a letter with my mum's death certificate and stated that there were barely enough in her bank account to pay for her own funeral. She has no house or any assets except what was in her one current account which paid for about one third of the funeral bill. Vanquish response was a condolences and to inform me that they will get Philips and Cohen involved. Has anyone dealt with these people? They sent a letter last week to say that they are doing their own investigations into mum's estate despite me saying there was no will or executor. Me and my sisters aren't applying for probate (our brother in law's probate lawyer suggested under no circumstances to apply for probate as my sisters and I will be legally obliged to state what's in mum's estate (nothing) each year. We have been called via our home telephone (not sure how they got hold of our numbers presumably through Vanquish) Philips & Cohen today demanding who is the executor of mum's estate which is no one. If anyone has dealt with them, please would you offer some advice? Mum's Vanquish card doesn't have a joint account holder and I believe we shouldn't be legally obliged to pay her debt. We haven't even grieved yet and they are demanding payment.

Fireflyaway

I'm sorry to hear of your loss. I'd personally tell them to hop it. Its very recent and the fact your late mum owed a small amount is hardly your top priority right now. These people really are the lowest.
Legally I don't know. Maybe citizens advice can help? Do you have a solicitor who can write to them and confirm your mum didn't have any funds?
Sorry I couldn't help but be assured these people will try it on. Tell them to stop harassing you, its not your debt.

pearl123

Get an appointment at the Citizens Advice Bureau as soon as possible.

SevenOfNine

Others will be along with advice gained from experience, in the meantime this organisation may be able to assist you with info on best way forward, & how to stop this company harrassing you further at this distressing time. It is a freephone number & advice should not be paid for.

https://bereavementadvice.org/topics/probate-and-legal/insolvent-estates

My condolences

Keep_pedalling

Write to them, tell them that your mother’s estate was insolvent, and that no one is administering the estate. Tell them that you will not respond to any further correspondence and if they continue to pursue you, you will treat is as harassment and will take action unde the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. Get proof of posting at the P.O.

Block their numbers to avoid any further calls.

Yorkshireman99

Nina1986 wrote: »

This is my first blog post and I just wanted to see if other people on here have faced somewhat similar situation. My mum passed away at the end of October. She had a card with Vanquish credit company and owed about £1200. I informed them that my mum's estate was insolvent in a letter with my mum's death certificate and stated that there were barely enough in her bank account to pay for her own funeral. She has no house or any assets except what was in her one current account which paid for about one third of the funeral bill. Vanquish response was a condolences and to inform me that they will get Philips and Cohen involved. Has anyone dealt with these people? They sent a letter last week to say that they are doing their own investigations into mum's estate despite me saying there was no will or executor. Me and my sisters aren't applying for probate (our brother in law's probate lawyer suggested under no circumstances to apply for probate as my sisters and I will be legally obliged to state what's in mum's estate (nothing) each year. We have been called via our home telephone (not sure how they got hold of our numbers presumably through Vanquish) Philips & Cohen today demanding who is the executor of mum's estate which is no one. If anyone has dealt with them, please would you offer some advice? Mum's Vanquish card doesn't have a joint account holder and I believe we shouldn't be legally obliged to pay her debt. We haven't even grieved yet and they are demanding payment.

Legally nobody owes them anything. Do not allow them to bully you. Just tell them that there is no money and that if they persist you will report them for harrassment.

getmore4less

I have had dealings with this outfit and they were OK(I may have got lucky) even told me I don't have to pay as it was the estate debt (I was going to pay anyway it was the BG bill)

They seem to pick up a lot of deceased debts and push probate services.

If they phone tell them to write to the administrator at the deceased address as it's not you and you have no idea who it is.

if they ask for the address tell them it's the one on their file.

Margot123

Keep_pedalling wrote: »

Write to them, tell them that your mother’s estate was insolvent, and that no one is administering the estate. Tell them that you will not respond to any further correspondence and if they continue to pursue you, you will treat is as harassment and will take action unde the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. Get proof of posting at the P.O.

Block their numbers to avoid any further calls.

Very sound advice from Keep pedalling.

If they do happen to call you on one of their alternative numbers, simply state that you will not converse with them and you consider the call to be harassment.

TonyMMM

As advised - just tell them you are not dealing with the estate.

They are just trying to work out whether it is worth them applying to be administrators (which they could do), but they would only do that if there was any money to recover.

You are not liable for the debt.

macman

Sorry for your loss. You mention that there is no cash left after funeral costs, but are there no other assets in the estate, e.g. property, personal possessions? The estate doesn't just consist of cash assets.

Jenniefour

macman, OP said no house or other assets. Insolvent estates come up often on this board for the very reason OP stated - creditors trying to get back money.