Are You Responsible for Your Deceased Spouse’s Debts?

Are You Responsible for Your Deceased Spouse’s Debts?
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Anne Johnson
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It’s hard enough when a spouse dies, but having to worry about their debts can be overwhelming. When someone passes away with credit card debt, loans, or other obligations, how much of that is a spouse’s responsibility?

Generally, you aren’t responsible for your deceased spouse’s debts, but there are some exceptions. It’s important to know where you stand and what your rights are.

Debt and a Deceased Spouse

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), if your spouse dies, you’re generally not responsible for their debt. But that doesn’t mean the debt disappears.
Anne Johnson
Anne Johnson
Author
Anne Johnson was a commercial property & casualty insurance agent for nine years. She was also licensed in health and life insurance. Anne went on to own an advertising agency where she worked with businesses. She has been writing about personal finance for ten years.