Debts on death, minimal assets

kezzygirl

Hi everyone. My dad passed last week after a very brief, five week battle with cancer. He has no savings or income other than his state pension. What he does have, is about 17k in credit card debt. 

We have contacted the creditors, many of whom are requesting the death cert, which is not yet issued. Newday at passing the debt to their in house solicitors from what I can make out. The sole 'benficiary' of his will is my step mum, his wife. I gave my details when I called today to inform them of his passing, which I anticipate will mean they will bombard me for payment. 

My dad had no assets other than a couple of air rifles, a 2012 plate car, a couple of metal detector. All of which my step mum plans to sell. My question is, can the creditors force her to hand over any funds from sale of these possessions? Where do we stand with this?they aren't worth much and certainly won't cover what he owes.

MikeyPGT

Sorry for your loss.  The following may help ...
https://www.barclaycard.co.uk/personal/money-matters/family-finances/debts-after-a-bereavement

Keep_pedalling

The first call on his estate is his funeral costs and it sounds like it does not have enough assets to even cover that.

Once you have the death certificates write to his creditors, informing them that the estate is insolvent and that there are insufficient assets to cover funeral costs and that no one is administering the estate. Include a copy of the death certificate with each letter. That should be the end of it. 

Savvy_Sue

Just checking, was he in rented property, or did he own (part of) a house?

kezzygirl

Keep_pedalling said:

The first call on his estate is his funeral costs and it sounds like it does not have enough assets to even cover that.

Once you have the death certificates write to his creditors, informing them that the estate is insolvent and that there are insufficient assets to cover funeral costs and that no one is administering the estate. Include a copy of the death certificate with each letter. That should be the end of it. 

Thanks, he thankfully had a fully paid direct to cremation funeral plan in place.

kezzygirl

Savvy_Sue said:

Just checking, was he in rented property, or did he own (part of) a house?

He was in a housing association bungalow, in which his wife remains 

Keep_pedalling

kezzygirl said:

Keep_pedalling said:

The first call on his estate is his funeral costs and it sounds like it does not have enough assets to even cover that.

Once you have the death certificates write to his creditors, informing them that the estate is insolvent and that there are insufficient assets to cover funeral costs and that no one is administering the estate. Include a copy of the death certificate with each letter. That should be the end of it. 

Thanks, he thankfully had a fully paid direct to cremation funeral plan in place.

Despite that I would not change the wording for those letters to his creditors.