Catalogue debts after death

nikki895

Hi everyone, just thought I’d try and post here to see if anyone can give me any advice.

my grandfather passed unexpectedly recently. He has left a few catalogue debts behind, one for Studio and one for Brighthouse. Everyone else we have been in contact with has been completely helpful and understanding - his phone contact was cancelled with no issues, for example. However, studio have written to me to inform me his debt of £120 is being passed on to Phillips and Cohen who deal with payments on the estate and they will be contacting me for payment. How is this correct? This is not my debt and there is no money in the estate. Surely they do not expect ME to pay someone else’s debt off? We aren’t even sure at this point if the funeral plan my grandad took out is even valid. Any advice would be greatly appreciated because I honestly cannot believe what I am reading. 

Thank you very much. 

Grumpelstiltskin

Debts do not disappear on death, they are liable to be paid from the estate.
If there is no money in the estate be very careful what you do, it could lead to problems for you.

nikki895

Grumpelstiltskin said:

Debts do not disappear on death, they are liable to be paid from the estate.
If there is no money in the estate be very careful what you do, it could lead to problems for you.

I don’t understand why it will affect me? I did not tell them I would take on his debt, nor is there any money in the estate, nor am I the executor or administrator of the estate. I don’t understand how this is my issue - all I did was inform them of death which is legally required? 

nikki895

Thanks for the help! I contacted Phillips and Cohen who confirmed to me I do not have to pay anything and they’re quite displeased at Studio for saying such things to me. Thankfully it is sorted now!

ames1010

Sorry to hear of your loss. I’ve looked online and the money service org online seems a useful website. I’ve had a quick read and it seems your grandfathers estate is what is called insolvent. How you go about telling the catalogue that- I’m unsure. National debtline could be useful so give them a call and say that your grandfathers estate is insolvent and how do you tell the catalogue this information - will they need proof etc. 

Flugelhorn

nikki895 said:

Grumpelstiltskin said:

Debts do not disappear on death, they are liable to be paid from the estate.
If there is no money in the estate be very careful what you do, it could lead to problems for you.

I don’t understand why it will affect me? I did not tell them I would take on his debt, nor is there any money in the estate, nor am I the executor or administrator of the estate. I don’t understand how this is my issue - all I did was inform them of death which is legally required? 

The problem is that organisations just latch onto the first person who contacts them over this and in telling them of his death then they will assume that you are administering the estate and will continue to do so until someone else turns up.
Hope you get problems over funeral plan sorted out - why do you think it might be invalid?

Mojisola

Mickey666 said:

Don't panic, you have nothing to worry about.

But, if you're not the executor or administrator why did you inform your grandfather's creditors of his death?  That's not your responsibility.

It's not unusual for family members to inform companies that a relative has died - they don't have to be executors to do that.

If there isn't any money left to pay any debts, it's best to also tell them that there is no money, that no-one is administering the estate and not to contact the informant - it's even better if you don't give them any contact details so they can't chase you.