Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in West Virginia
Assuming credit card debt when someone passes away
My father passed away 2 weeks ago and he had a credit card in his name, it is a UMWA mastercard. My mother called them and told them he passed. They sent her a letter to request a death certificate so that they can ''change account responsiblity.'' My father did not have a will. But every thing else was in both of their names, house, cars, ect... Should my mother send them the death certificate and become responsible for this or is she not obligated to assume account responsiblity? - it's about $5000 at 13%.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Assuming credit card debt when someone passes away
They can ask for anything, but your mother does not to provide it, not under most circumstances is she obligated to pay for his debt, unless there is a contractual basis or some other basis for this assumption.
I would ask them before anything is sent on what basis are they changing the responsibility.