I remember my mother telling me after my father A"H's passing that she does not have to pay up certain debts owed by the deceased. I'm nearly 100% sure it was the CC bills she was referring to. Though, I may be mistaken.
When you die, your estate is responsible for paying off the balance. If the estate goes through probate, your administrator or executor will look at your assets and debts and, guided by law, determine in what order bills should be paid. Remaining assets will be distributed to heirs by following your will (if you have one), or state law (if you don't).
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Changes in rules of engagement
Two changes in federal law have altered the rules of engagement for collection after death:
•If there is enough money, the Credit CARD Act of 2009 requires the executor of an estate to be informed of the amount quickly, and requires credit card issuers to stop tacking on fees and penalties during the time the estate is being settled. That portion of the law went into effect in February 2010.
•The Federal Trade Commission in July 2011 issued a series of guidelines for debt collection from decedents' friends and relatives. The rules represent the FTC's effort to find a middle ground allowing legitimate collection activity while reining in overaggressive tactics.