Legal Question in Family Law in Georgia
Legal Responsibility for In-Law Debts
I live in Georgia and am currently seperated from my wife. Her father, mother died 4 years ago, is not in good physical health and may have amassed significant debts (although he won't discuss). My wife in her brother are their only children and are both in father in-laws will. If there are assets to be distributed upon his death, my wife can have them in full, but I don't wan't to be incurring debt from him as the result of his death. Since we are seperated and not divorced, what notification or legal means can I use to protect myself (and my wife if possible) from assuming any of his debts?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Legal Responsibility for In-Law Debts
Debts are not inherited, but are paid out of the estate before heirs get paid. However, it is possible that your wife may have co-signed debts (she would be liable for those).
Since you have various complex issues working here (relating to the marital relationship) you may want to meet with counsel now to discuss that (as well as details that your post lacks) so as to best be prepared for possible divorce and other issues. If you and your wife are talking now, this may be an inexpensive way to prevent further expensive disputes.