Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Alabama
Debts of the Deceased
My sister died with considerdable credit card debt. She committed suicide. Some of the credit card companies said that her 'insurance' didn't cover this - so the debt remains. My nephew is her only heir and she did leave name him as beneficary to a life insurance policy and her retirement fund. Does he have to pay offer her creditors? Is he liable for those bills?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Debts of the Deceased
Generally when people die, their creditors have to file claims with the estate in order to be repaid. They have six months from the date the estate is accepted for probate. If they don't file their claim within that period, they are barred, or prevented, from seeking repayment elsewhere.
You have no obligation to pay off this debt yourself. They are in the business of extending credit. They took the risk.