Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in New York

Paying a debt after death

We owe some money - a few thousands dollars - to a party. This party is having health concerns and may not live. If this particular person passes on - what happens with our debt? Right now, we make payments of what we can afford every month. At the time of their death, do we pay it all at once, do we still make payments or is it considered gone?


Asked on 1/03/06, 10:33 am

3 Answers from Attorneys

Arnold Nager Arnold H. Nager, Esquire

Re: Paying a debt after death

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The debt is considered an asset of the "party's" estate. Unless terms were agreed upon at the time the loan was made, it would become due in full.

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Answered on 1/03/06, 10:41 am
Norman Nadel Norman Nadel, Esq.

Re: Paying a debt after death

Death of the creditor does not change your obligation. Only the recipient of the payments changes.

You wil pay the Executor (if there is a Will) or Administrator (if there is no Will), as the case may be.

If there are no written terms of payment, the amount will be due on demand. You can negotiate a plan of payment with the Executor or Administrator.

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Answered on 1/03/06, 10:42 am
Walter LeVine Walter D. LeVine, Esq.

Re: Paying a debt after death

I agree with Arnold and Norman. The debt stands, as part of the estate, but the payee is changed to the estate or an heir, if the obligation winds up being distributed as part of the estate. The debt remains payable pursuant to its terms, although you can negotiate the repayment terms if the payee agrees. If the current creditor is competent, although ill, you might want to negotiate new terms now, and put them in writing, so the estate is bound by any changes.

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Answered on 1/03/06, 11:02 am


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