Terminal Cancer and My Credit Card

NatalieA

Hi people.

I was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer about a month ago and have been busy ever since with sorting out my affairs.

Time isn't on my side and have become unemployed whilst a family member is around the house to take care of me. They can't be certain about how long I have left but around November time is their estimate but the illness can deteriorate rapidly further at anytime.

I have a credit card with American Express called the Platinum Cashback. I've only ever used it for family holidays and large expenses that I couldn't afford up-front. My balance is at the moment is £5250 and I've already paid £2000 out of our joint savings account since I was told the severity of my illness.

My husband will be able to clear the balance for me when I pass away, but a lady from American Express was a bit unclear on how this would work. Does anyone know what will happen to the account after I am deceased and whether my husband is able to simply call up and pay the bill or is there more to it?

[Deleted User]

Your husband can just settle it or it can be settled by your estate. The account will be closed.

sourcrates

Hi,

Really sorry to hear about your diagnosis.

If its of any comfort, any outstanding bills would be paid by the executors of your will, from your estate.

If there was not enough money to pay everything, then unsecured credit debts such as your credit card, would not receive anything.

NatalieA

sourcrates wrote: »

Hi,

Really sorry to hear about your diagnosis.

If its of any comfort, any outstanding bills would be paid by the executors of your will, from your estate.

If there was not enough money to pay everything, then unsecured credit debts such as your credit card, would not receive anything.

Thank you.

My husband will be the executor of my will. My property is owned and I paid off my bank loan, so the credit card is the last thing to go. My husband will be automatically entitled to 50% of my property. I gave my blessing for him to sell his share of the property if he ever needed the money, but I wanted to make sure that my son maintained half the freehold for security.

I wouldn't want to go without knowing my name wasn't tarnished by the outstanding debt.

[Deleted User]

Hi and really sorry to hear about your cancer, please make sure you are receiving all the benefits you are entitled to, Mcmillan might help or CAB.
x

jonesMUFCforever

this is probably a longshot -- but if you have PPI on the account -- this would probably cover the debt.

Silvertabby

So sorry to hear of your diagnosis.

I know money isn't everything, but it helps. Do you have any pension benefits that you can draw now, and/or will pay your husband a pension?

dresdendave

Please don't take this the wrong way, but with less than a year to live focus on spending time with your loved ones, take trips to places you always wanted to see etc.

Make the most of what time you have left rather than worry about trivialities such as a relatively small CC debt.

Potbellypig

I have no else to offer other than I hope you enjoy your last few months. Life really is too precious to be worrying about your credit card debt.

I hope you have a peaceful few months

NatalieA

venison wrote: »

Hi and really sorry to hear about your cancer, please make sure you are receiving all the benefits you are entitled to, Mcmillan might help or CAB.
x

As a personal preference we chose not to receive any benefits or Macmillan support. But thank you for your wishes x

NatalieA

Thank you everyone for the wishes. I will hopefully enjoy the rest of my time with family but my first priority was to sort out the finances. The last thing i would want is companies sniffing around when i pass away. i can go reassured that everything is taken care of.