If the debt was in the spouses name only, they will have a hard time making a case for you to pay the debt. Hopefully the surviving spouse has no connection to it (not even an authorized user of the account). Just send a copy of the death certificate, they have to write it off. They will tell you that you have to pay it, and they may come after his assets (a car he owns or something that is in his name only). You will want to contact a credit councelor - most will give free advice. If the married couple resided in a community property state the surviving spouse in most instances is responsible for all debts incurred in the marriage even if they were not a joint account holder. The exception would be the CP state of Wisconsin which treats marital debts differently when it pertains to the death of a spouse.
The estate of the deceased is responsible for the debts. Indirectly, the spouse is going to pay the debts, either by a smaller inheritance or as a beneficiary of the goods and services purchased by the spouse.
Indirectly, the spouse is going to pay the debts, either by a smaller inheritance or as a beneficiary of the goods and services purchased by the spouse. The estate of the deceased is responsible for the debts.
In Kentucky the estate of the deceased is primarily responsible for the debts. Indirectly, the spouse is going to pay the debts, either by a smaller inheritance or as a beneficiary of the goods and services purchased by the spouse.
The estate is responsible for all the debts of the deceased. Indirectly the spouse will have to pay them off from the estate before she can inherit.
The deceased's ESTATE is responsible for any debts incurred by the deceased party. NOT the survivors.
In Florida the estate of the deceased is going to be responsible for the debts. Indirectly, the spouse is going to pay the debts, either by a smaller inheritance or as a beneficiary of the goods and services purchased by the spouse.
The estate is required to liquidate such debts. In most cases the surviving spouse will be deemed to have benefited from the loans and be required to pay them back.
No a spouse is not to pay the taxes which are due by her dead spouse.
Like most places, Connecticut has the estate resolve debts. The spouse will indirectly pay, as they cannot inherit until they are resolved.
In North Carolina the estate of the deceased is responsible for the debts. Indirectly, the spouse is going to pay the debts, either by a smaller inheritance or as a beneficiary of the goods and services purchased by the spouse.
If the surviving family members are not joint account holders or a surviving spouse who was living in a community property state, they are not responsible for the debts of the deceased. The deceased estate (if any) is to be probated (when required) and any assets are used to pay outstanding debts in their order of priority according to state law. FYI, authorized signers of credit card accounts are not joint account holders and not responsible for debt incurred. Likewise in some CP states the surviving spouse cannot always be held accountable for all debts solely incurred by the deceased spouse.
The wife is not directly responsible unless she is on the contract. Florida courts could rule that the spouse benefited from the debts and could be held responsible. The estate has to pay the debts before she can inherit anything.