does anyone know about settling credit card accounts for someone's estate?

[leftofthedial]

My Mom died and I'm trying to pay her bills. I have no money (part-time jobs don't even pay my monthly bills). Her estate has just enough money to keep her house going (it's paid for, but she has insurance, HOA dues, etc.) until my sister can buy me out and move in. Mom left two credit card balances, under $10,000 total. We don't have money to pay the credit cards. What are my options?

[Midlodemocrat]

1. Because there is an estate, you may need to refi the house to pay

off the bills. If there was no estate, you're not liable.

I would contact the CC companies and ask for a 'settlement amount' since she has passed and you don't have the money. Be honest with them and tell them you can't pay it.

[leftofthedial]

2. Thanks!

I hope they'll go low. I WAY don't want to entangle the house in this.

[SeattleGirl]

3. You might want to consult with an estate attorney.

My mom's estate was finally settled a few weeks ago (and when I say estate, I use it ONLY in the legal sense; I'm not talking about a multi-million dollar estate).

My sister who was the executor did a fabulous job, but I think the poor thing would have gone postal if it hadn't been for the attorney that my mom had hired prior to her death.

One thing you need to know, whether you use an attorney or not, is the length of probate. You don't want to find yourself in a situation where you do something that ought not be done until probate is over.

So, whether you like attorneys or not, I think it might be in your best interest to at least consult with one. Most do free or low-cost consultations.

[leftofthedial]

4. thanks.

There is not much here and no dispute over anything. I'll see if I can get some legal advice.

[Giant Robot]

5. Consult an attorney!

When my dad died he left a lot of credit card debt and little money. There was no house either. I was told unless my name was attached to the debt in any way, which it was not, that all the credit card companies can go fuck themselves since the estate had no money. I was not on the hook for his bills in other words. I called the credit card people about this an explained the situation and they were surprisingly very cool about it and only wanted me to send a death certificate to make this all go away. Your mom's house may be an asset of the estate and the cc companies may want a piece of that, I don't know; I did not have to deal with that with my dad. But talk with an attorney about what your obligations and rights are! And my condolences on your loss.