my friend's husband died 4 weeks ago leaving credit card dedt

[charmouth]

Hello

My friend's husband sadly died 4 weeks ago, leaving her with debt on credit cards. She has sent in death certificates only to be told she must still pay the debt. The credit cards were in her husbands name only. They have no assetts, do not own their own home.

She is in such turmoil at the moment and does not know what to do or who to turn to for advise. I'm hoping that by finding out some information for her will help take some of the pressure of her, even if its only for a short while. She is going through such a roller coaster at the moment. She has a 14 year old son also to take care of and has no money.

Does anyone know the laws on credit card debt for a deceased person who's name the credit card was in please.

[Sapphire]

Re: my friend's husband died 4 weeks ago leaving credit card dedt

Hiya, I suspect that they will be 'trying it on' with her at the moment, horrid I know, but these people are pariah's and have no feelings. They can ask for payment from the estate, but until thats sorted out then you can ask them to hold fire.
Has your friend been in touch with the banks/building societies etc and closed accounts ?

[charitynjw]

Re: my friend's husband died 4 weeks ago leaving credit card dedt

A bit of 'outside the box' thinking here, but could the executor(s) claim back PPI, etc?

They do have a duty to do their best for the beneficiaries, don't they?

[CYNthesys]

Re: my friend's husband died 4 weeks ago leaving credit card dedt

On another sidenote, you suggest that your friend is struggling and has no money.
I think its still the case that if she is under 60 she will be entitled to a non means tested lump sum of £2000 payable by DWP.

Im not suggesting that she pays off her husbands credit card debt with the £2,000, but it may help alleviate the financial stress she is experiencing

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTax...ed/DG_10018703

[labman]

Re: my friend's husband died 4 weeks ago leaving credit card dedt

I'm very sorry to hear of your friend's loss.

She is not responsible for his credit card debt. Have a read of this - it may well be helpful over the coming weeks:

What happens to debts when someone dies? : Directgov - Money, tax and benefits

[Celestine]

Re: my friend's husband died 4 weeks ago leaving credit card dedt

Hi

Welcome to Legal Beagles :beagle:


We also have a forum dedicated to Bereavement/End of Life issues.

Bereavement and end of life issues - Legal Beagles Consumer Forum

[enaid]

Re: my friend's husband died 4 weeks ago leaving credit card dedt

Hello

My friend's husband sadly died 4 weeks ago, leaving her with debt on credit cards. She has sent in death certificates only to be told she must still pay the debt. The credit cards were in her husbands name only. They have no assetts, do not own their own home.
She is in such turmoil at the moment and does not know what to do or who to turn to for advise. I'm hoping that by finding out some information for her will help take some of the pressure of her, even if its only for a short while. She is going through such a roller coaster at the moment. She has a 14 year old son also to take care of and has no money.

Does anyone know the laws on credit card debt for a deceased person who's name the credit card was in please.

They are not wrong in saying the debt still has to be paid, but this can only happen if the deceased estate has enough to pay all the debts.
As the home isn't owned then that is not an issue.
If the estate has not enough to cover any of the debts then the CC company will usually write it off.
Credit card companies are unable to collect any cash from your friend or other relatives to the deceased unless you were a joint account holder or co-signer. If you were just an authorised user, meaning that you could place charges on the card but had no responsibility for payment, you are also not responsible for clearing the balance.

[Streetwise]

Re: my friend's husband died 4 weeks ago leaving credit card dedt

Hello

My friend's husband sadly died 4 weeks ago, leaving her with debt on credit cards. She has sent in death certificates only to be told she must still pay the debt. The credit cards were in her husbands name only. They have no assetts, do not own their own home.

She is in such turmoil at the moment and does not know what to do or who to turn to for advise. I'm hoping that by finding out some information for her will help take some of the pressure of her, even if its only for a short while. She is going through such a roller coaster at the moment. She has a 14 year old son also to take care of and has no money.

Does anyone know the laws on credit card debt for a deceased person who's name the credit card was in please.

Hi,your friend's priority is to her son,not to the credit card companies,if the estate has no money the credit card companies can't be paid,a simple letter to each of the credit card companies explaining the situation should be enough for them to write off the debt,tell your friend not to worry about the debt,and I am sorry for her loss,regards Streetwise.

[charmouth]

Re: my friend's husband died 4 weeks ago leaving credit card dedt

Thank you all for your replies, your advice is appreciated. I' not sure of the extent of my friends debts, I've not asked how much is owed, but since her husband passed is finding out more of the debt that he had. It's so sad that in her time of grieving she is having to deal with the shock of the debt. She is under 60 and has mentioned something about the £2000, but thinks its to pay towards the funeral, as she has no money. She mentioned today that has finally been able to get some advice from the CAB, who are also telling her it is not her debt. I really do hope she will be able to have his debt written off and not have to worry about it as she needs her strength to look after her son, who is worried for
his mum as she is worrying about money. I know she will get through this, but it is such a tough ride for her. I'll pass the information onto her and let her know of this forum as it may be a help to her in her time of need. I'll also have a look at the other posts / links you have mentioned on here so I can get as much advice for her

Once again thank you so much for your advice

[CYNthesys]

Re: my friend's husband died 4 weeks ago leaving credit card dedt

Dont think the £2000 is meant for funeral expenses.

If there is no money in her husband's estate and she has no money to cover funeral expenses, I believe she may be able to apply to DWP for a grant.

Also she is probably entitled to widowed parents allowance of approx £100 per week

[righty]

Re: my friend's husband died 4 weeks ago leaving credit card dedt

Hello

My friend's husband sadly died 4 weeks ago, leaving her with debt on credit cards. She has sent in death certificates only to be told she must still pay the debt. The credit cards were in her husbands name only. They have no assetts, do not own their own home.

She is in such turmoil at the moment and does not know what to do or who to turn to for advise. I'm hoping that by finding out some information for her will help take some of the pressure of her, even if its only for a short while. She is going through such a roller coaster at the moment. She has a 14 year old son also to take care of and has no money.

Does anyone know the laws on credit card debt for a deceased person who's name the credit card was in please.

They were his debts & died with him

[TUTTSI]

Re: my friend's husband died 4 weeks ago leaving credit card dedt

When my mum died she had a barclaycard which had a debt of £1-2k. When I sent them the Death Certificate they just wrote off the debt.

[Sapphire]

Re: my friend's husband died 4 weeks ago leaving credit card dedt

When my mum died 3 years ago, she left just under £500 on an RBS card, I sent the Death Certificate and they still write to me every month asking for payment, I made them a full and final offer and just the other day have accepted it, just have to send off the money now.

[enaid]

Re: my friend's husband died 4 weeks ago leaving credit card dedt

They were his debts & died with him

Can you please confirm this as it is not what seems to be the norm with CC debts and the deceased

[righty]

Re: my friend's husband died 4 weeks ago leaving credit card dedt

Can you please confirm this as it is not what seems to be the norm with CC debts and the deceased

It is the norm if there are no assets in the estate OR if the debt is unenforceable