Plenty of grown children worry about their parents’ debts, especially if they think they may have to pay it. One reader, for instance, said she only discovered her mother had unpaid credit cards after she died. “She owned a house, where two of my siblings are now living, but that was her only asset. Are we responsible for the credit card debt, even thought we didn’t co-sign or open them jointly?” she asked.

Indirectly, perhaps. Children are not responsible for their parents’ unpaid debts. However, the executor should pay all unpaid debts from any money in a person’s estate before honoring any inheritances or bequests.

Since the house is the only asset, then the value of the estate is equal to the value of the house. As long as the house is worth enough to pay off the credit cards, then the debts should be paid. It doesn’t matter if anyone is still living in the house.

If the house is in the name of your late mother and your siblings plan to continue living there, then you need to transfer the title on the property. When you do, you can liquidate enough cash to pay off any debts your mother owed.

Another reader just received a bill from a doctor who claims to have treated his mother, who died nearly two years ago. “I took care of all the bills I knew she owed and closed out the estate as directed by her will about a year after she died. Until now, I thought I had paid all the debts in full,” he explained.

He wonders about his obligation to pay the bill, now that he’s already liquated all the assets.

You should have received a bill from the doctor before now. Since you didn’t, tell the doctor the patient died and has no remaining assets in her estate. Unless another family member or friend guaranteed payment to the doctor–which would have occurred when your mother filled out the patient information forms at the doctor’s office–you shouldn’t have any further responsibility.

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