Credit Card debt from family member

enthusiasticsaver

Payments should not be made on a credit card in a deceaseds name.  You need to get the account cancelled urgently.  If she left no assets they will probably write it off.  

Your grandad can adjust his will to say that the £18k he gave/lent to his son can be deducted from any inheritance he is due at the end of the day. 

cymruchris

The bank might be interested to know 'how' things were still being purchased with the card beyond your family member passing away, so there may be some questions asked. That might be a more difficult conversation, but based on the circumstances I'd say you're best off being up-front with them (particularly as it wasn't you that spent on it - and are just the one informing them).

sourcrates

Card has not been used since before the deceased died, she was alive when the purchases were made, and they were made with her consent, according to the OP -

"glb1234 said:

Sorry I don’t think I’ve been clear with the post - she helped them out by letting them use the card and it soon racked up. She didn’t tell my grandad until a couple of years before she died that she’d helped them out. So not really fraud as she let them use it.   The card hasn’t actually been used since she died"

However, as the card was in her name, legally, the debt belongs to her.

From what can be deduced, Grandma left no assets, so the only thing that needs correcting is to inform the card company of her death.

The balance is legally nothing to do with anyone else, so should be written off.

cymruchris

sourcrates said:

Card has not been used since before the deceased died, she was alive when the purchases were made, and they were made with her consent, according to the OP -

I misread something - as you rightly say the OP states that it's not been used since the cardholder passed away.

Very much agree with you though that if there were no assets, then yes it's just a case of informing them of the death, potentially having to send a copy of the death certificate, and hopefully they'll write it off accordingly.

OP - maybe you can update us later down the line once you've had a chance to speak to the card provider.

[Deleted User]

@glb1234 how has this progressed ?