Who is responsible for credit card debt if somebody dies? Or does the company eat it?

Say somebody has X amount of credit card debt, then they die but still have that debt to the credit card company outstanding, what happens? Does the company have to write it off as bad debt or ? Perhaps the company can hit up that person's estate. But let me pose another question then – what if that person's estate does not have enough money to cover that credit card debt.

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Friday, April 17th, 2009 Consumer Debt

4 Comments to Who is responsible for credit card debt if somebody dies? Or does the company eat it?

  1. The person's estate or surviving spouse, otherwise, they have to eat it.
    Most credit agencies have a life insurance policy on their lenders now and don't persue the matter if you send a copy of the death certificate in to them.

  2. Hot, hot mama! on April 17th, 2009
  3. they can try the estate, if their is not enough to cover it, they eat it.

  4. frank s on April 17th, 2009
  5. Yes, the credit card company can go to the estate of the deceased to collect. If there isn't enough there to cover it, then the cc company eats it.

  6. dale_jdc on April 17th, 2009
  7. If there is a living spouse, then the spouse would be obligated. If not, just write 'DECEASED' on the bill and send it. Unless the deceased left instructions to pay the debts out of a life insurance policy.

  8. Granny on April 17th, 2009

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