Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Pennsylvania
in case of my death is my wife and family responsible for my personal credit card debt
Asked on 1/12/12, 10:41 am
1 Answer from Attorneys
Not directly unless they were co-applicants on the card(s) or used the card(s).
However, a lot more goes into it than that. It depends on your assets and what other debts your estate has.
Your probate estate (consisting of only your probate assets - it does not include things like life insurance or IRAs/retirement or other beneficiary designated assets) is responsible for all of your debts. If there is enough money in the estate, then all claims are paid from the estate funds before your heirs can inherit anything. If there is not enough money, then claims are paid in orderr of priority as outlined in the statutes.
Answered on 1/12/12, 11:13 am