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Assuming Debt of Deceased Credit Card Holder?

I'm a signer on a credit card for a person who has recently died. I was not a joint opener of the account, but a signer added on later. Can I be held responsible for the balance due?



If you were only an authorized signer on the account, you should have no liability. Of course, you should no longer be using the account. The card issuer could have a right to require you to repay any charges to the account that you made after the debtor died.

If you are contacted about any balance on the account, simply respond that you were only an authorized user of the account. If you are pressed for payment other than for any charges made after the debtor died, you should ask for a copy of the card contract, with the language that might make you responsible for the balance highlighted. Then talk to an attorney.

Published on BankingQuestions.com 5/11/09