Is my mom responsible for her deceased husband's credit card debt?

[mcioni]

Both were on social security, when he passed they went from making $2000 a month to her making $1200 a month. They lived month to month when he was alive. The only payment that she won't have to make is to his health insurance. And it doesn't add up to the $800 that she's losing. I'm just wondering if it's legal for her to just stop paying on his credit card debt. Or, is she responsible for the debt because they were married? If she is responsible but unable to pay it can they garnish social security wages? She is not a joint user on the card. They have a home and a car together. There isn't any cash, investments or life insurance that he's left.

 

[seniorjudge]

If the credit card bill is for necessaries (food, clothing, shelter, medical), then she may be liable.

 

[lwpat]

The best way is to send them a certified copy of the death certificate and notify them that there is no estate. Then she needs to get an unlisted phone number.

 

[mom3]

what state does she live in? If she was not a user on his account she is not liable.....and especially if the account was an unsecured credit card they can not garnish her check even if she was....just bad mark his credit not hers unless she was a user... at least in Texas... IRS taxes , government loans, child support obligations are about the only garnishable type debts....