What to do if my father has not paid for my mom’s funeral and now they are contacting me demanding payment and threatening to sue?

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What to do if my father has not paid for my mom’s funeral and now they are contacting me demanding payment and threatening to sue?

She died 2 years ago. I did not sign anything saying I was responsible for the bill nor did I agree to pay any of the costs for the funeral. My father is the one that accepted all financial responsibility. What are my rights?

Asked on September 19, 2011 under Bankruptcy Law, Pennsylvania

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

You should inform them of what you havve written here--you never agreed to pay any burial costs, and rather it was your father who agreed to pay. The mere fact that you are her child does not obligate you if you never accepted that obligation or directed the funeral or burial. If they don't back off promptly, ask the funeral home, cemetary, or their collection agency to validate the debt--that is, to send you copies of any agreements or documents which they claim obligate you to pay, or provide a citation to any court order, law, etc. which they feel requires you to pay (and also to send all correspondence and documentation relating to the funeral--expenses; any emails or instructions selecting the location and type of burial, etc.). Once you have all the information which they claim makes you liable, you are in a better position to challenge it.


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