Will I be responsible for bills?
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Will I be responsible for bills?
Hello. My mother passed away last month. I still live in the house along with my two children. I cannot afford to move even if we sold the house. My question is this, she has one credit card for about 7k and some medical, bills probably totaling 4k. Is anyone responsible for paying these bills. She left no money, only the house, which we are not selling. We live in NY.
Asked on May 31, 2016 under Estate Planning, New York
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
Her estate is responsible: the debts must be paid out of the money and property she has left behind (if any).
If the house was her house (owned by her, in whole or as a joint owner), then if the creditors sue her estate for the money, they could put a lien on the house. If the house was not in your mother's name, then even if she was paying expenses of the house, creditors cannot reach it.
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