Remember that you are not personally responsible for your deceased relative’s debt. Unless you were a cosigner on a loan or credit card, you have no legal obligation to pay the debt. The debt belongs to the estate, not you. Adapted from the Federal Trade Commission.

Do you have to pay your spouse’s credit card debt when they die?

Both the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) confirm that family members usually do not have to pay the debt of deceased relatives using their personal assets. This includes credit card debt, student loans and more.

Are you responsible for your spouse’s debt in Missouri?

In community property states, the courts consider debt incurred during the marriage as the debt of both spouses, regardless of whether both spouses’ names were on the debt. In other states, such as Missouri, the courts divide martial debt equitably, so spouses are generally only responsible for the debt they incurred.

Is a spouse responsible for medical bills after death in Missouri?

You are not necessarily responsible for the debts of your spouse. Your spouse died. You have become the executor of his or her estate. If the debt was incurred for necessary goods and services, the answer is yes.

Can a surviving spouse be liable for a joint credit card?

And conversely, if a debt is owed jointly, such as a mortgage or joint credit card, the surviving spouse would remain liable for that debt. But, Minnesota state law only singles out two types of debt that a surviving spouse would owe in the case of debt owed only by the individual deceased spouse.

Who is responsible for a debt in Missouri?

Second, Missouri is a separate property state, which means that the debts incurred by one spouse are owed by that spouse only and the other spouse has no legal obligation to pay them (unless the debts are joint debts — debts that both spouses signed for).

Is the surviving spouse liable for a deceased spouse’s debt?

In general, the answer is no, a surviving spouse is not obligated to pay the individual debts of their deceased spouse; but like most areas of the law, there are nuances requiring a closer look. The deceased spouse is liable for his or her own debts, even in death.

What happens to a deceased spouse’s credit card debt?

Practically speaking, at the time of death, all of the deceased spouse’s individual debts must be paid out of the estate. This would include payment of monies out of joint banking accounts. And conversely, if a debt is owed jointly, such as a mortgage or joint credit card, the surviving spouse would remain liable for that debt.