FREE Ebook: Next Stop: Nursing Home Get My Copy Now!

Schedule Your Consultation Today!

(407) 574-8125

What Happens to Your Debts When You Die?

Get The Legal Help You Need

What Happens to Your Debts When You Die?

June 6, 2019
Geoff Hoatson

When you die, your debts do not expire with you. Most debt still needs to be paid off, if possible. However, who is responsible for paying the debt depends on the type of debt, and some assets are protected from being used to satisfy a debt.

Outstanding debt may include mortgages, credit card bills, car loans, personal loans, or condominium fees -- even car leases, where death is considered “early termination” of a contract.

Usually your estate is responsible for paying any debts you leave behind. If the estate does not have enough money, the debts will go unpaid. In general, debt collectors may not try to collect payment from your relatives and heirs. However, there are some exceptions. Co-signers and guarantors of a particular debt are responsible for that debt, and someone who held property jointly with you would be responsible for any debts on the joint property. In addition, spouses in “community property” states -- states where property acquired during marriage is owned jointly by both spouses -- may be responsible for some debt.

Creditors are paid from the part of your estate that passes through probate, which means any property that passes through a will. The person who is appointed personal representative or executor of your estate is responsible for making sure the creditors are paid. The personal representative uses estate assets to pay off the debts before any money passes to heirs. If you have significant debts, it is possible that your entire estate will be used to pay creditors.

Creditors cannot be paid from any assets that pass directly to a beneficiary. For example, a jointly held bank account would pass directly to the joint owner, and the funds in that account could not be used to pay creditors. Similarly, life insurance policies pass directly to the beneficiaries, so creditors do not have access to those funds.

Whether or not a creditor can access funds in a trust depends on state law as well as what kind of trust it is. Consult with your attorney to determine if your assets are protected.

Copyright © 2024. Family First Firm - Medicaid & Elder Law Attorneys. All rights reserved.
The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country, or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.
Family First Firm – Medicaid & Elder Law Attorneys
(407) 574-8125
https://www.familyfirstfirm.com
Share This Blog

Our Locations

Winter Park Office

Family First Firm - Medicaid & Elder Law Attorneys

1030 W Canton Avenue, Suite 102,
Winter Park FL 32789

Get Directions

Altamonte Springs Office

Family First Firm - Medicaid & Elder Law Attorneys
By Appointment Only

715 Douglas Ave Suite# 40,
Altamonte Springs, FL 32714

Get Directions

Get free legal advice sent to your inbox

Name(Required)