Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in California

Authorize credit card user

I was a authorized credit card user only, on my dad's account. He was the primary. My dad kept the payments all up to date. He passed away. It was a very bad time for me.

I made a few charges after.I know that probably wasn't a good idea. I had every intention of paying off the charges.

I did make a small payment at the store. It took me 3 months before I realized I hadn't recieved a statement. I

thought they found out about my dad and wrote it off. To make a long story short now a collections agency is after me and are telling me I should get a lawyer. For Months they kept telling me I was a primary and reported it to the credit bureau as mine. First did I do anything illegal?

and if I want to pay them should I pay the collection agency. The notice came addressed to my dad. I want to get

this right. And make it right.


Asked on 4/27/05, 7:35 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Roy Hoffman Law Offices of Roy A. Hoffman

Re: Authorize credit card user

You probably did not do anything illegal, so long as you did not intend to defraud the creditor. However, you will be held liable for at least the charges you incurred after your father's death.

If you want to "get this right" and "make it right," simply pay whatever is owed to the creditor. You can either pay the creditor itself, or the collection agency.

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Answered on 4/28/05, 1:51 pm


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