Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Florida
Debt of Deceased Parent
My mother died this year. We jointly owned the house we were living in. My mom has a credit card debt of 9,000 that only she is on the card. Am I responsible for this debt, because I now own the house that we lived in together.
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Debt of Deceased Parent
No. The two debts (the house mortgage and the credit card debt)have nothing to do with each other. If you were not responsible to the credit card company before your mother's passing, you aren't now.
Re: Debt of Deceased Parent
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No. If both of you were on the deed as Joint Tenants with Right of Survivorship, it automatically passed to the surviving tenant upon the death of one (your mom). If it was not held as a joint tenancy, if it was your mom's homestead then her interest will pass to you upon filing of the necessary pleadings in probate without any liability for creditor's claims for an unpaid credit card.
Scott R. Jay, Esq.