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“Usually the estate will be responsible for these bills if they filed a creditors claim with the executor within 4 months after the estate was opened. What constitutes a creditors claim can depend on the circumstances but usually they will have to receive notice of the death, and then file a creditors claim with the probate court.”
Attorney Answer given by JWN, Member, California and Arizona Bar Answer given by JWN, Member, California and Arizona Bar
“When a loved one dies, a lot of financial questions arise. In every case, your best bet is to consult a trusts and estates attorney. Still, a few rules of thumb can help you figure out your own responsibility. The basic rule is this: The estate of the deceased is liable for the debt, and no one else is——not even relatives. This includes medical bills, credit card debt and mortgages. If the debtor dies with no assets, the debts go unpaid.”
eHow.com