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We are dealing with the aftermath of my MIL's sudden death last month. Her credit card bill just came in and there is a small amount due, between $60 and $80. We can certainly pay it, it's not a problem. We've also been notified, however, that the hospital wants nearly $35,000 for their care of her, billed to her "estate." The thing is, she left no estate. She had only a small checking account assigned to revert to my husband at her death. So here's my question. I know we are not legally responsible for either of these bills. But if we were to pay the credit card one, strictly as a courtesy, would that open us up to being responsible for the hospital bill? Would we then be saying, in effect, that we *are* assuming her debts? Thanks.

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It is not your debt. You shouldn't pay for any of it.
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Was she on Medicare? If so the $35,000 seems to be an exorbitant amount. Even with the supplemental with high deductibles and out of pocket expenses shouldn’t be near that amount unless she signed an ABN form. Or she didn’t carry a supplement at all. Regardless, not your bill to pay.
Heartfelt condolences for your loss.
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I bet tricare pays a large portion of the medical expenses.

My Aunt said that was the best thing my Uncle left her when he passed away.

How are you doing?
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Thanks, NTWH. I'm going to go with my gut on this one, as well as the advice I'm getting here from you and others. Not paying.
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Why would you pay any of it? It's not your debt. Don't open up a can of worms.
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I would consult with an Estate attorney to ask about it and other questions. In some jurisdictions, creditors can open up a probate case, just to seek payment of the debt. I'd also ask about using any of her money after her death, as the POA is no longer valid and you'd need court orders to get authority to act as her executor.
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worriedinCali Mar 2019
Sounds like there is no money left. They would be using their own money to pay the bills.
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I am so sorry for the tragic loss of your MIL.

Did she have any medical coverage on her auto insurance? This would cover some depending on policy.

I would not send a personal check, i would send a money order from the post office if you are going to pay the cc. Use only her information and I would put in the memo that she is deceased payment in full.

May God grant your family grieving mercies and peace during this time of readjustment.
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DesertGrl53 Mar 2019
Thank you, ITRR. Both for your suggestions and for your condolrnces.
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Honestly, I would say you are exerting way too much stress on this issue, when you have more than enough to deal with already. I'm so sorry about MIL, not only her death, but the tragic way she passed has to be so very hard. If you want to be courteous to the credit card company, call them and tell them she passed and there is no estate from which to pay the bill. And then don't give it a second thought. Sending hugs to you and your family.
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And yes, the credit card account has been closed. Thank you for you condolences.
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JoAnn, MIL did not die of natural causes, hence the huge bill. She pulled out in front of a semi and died of the trauma. She had MedicAid and VA TriCare. If we pay the credit card balance, it will essentially come out of our own personal account because hers no longer exists. We do not want to do this if her creditors - the hospital for now, but potentially radiologists, doctors, lab services - decide that our doing so constitutes a mingling of funds and consequent assumption of liability. We just don't want to open a can of worms.
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rovana Mar 2019
None of this is your debt and would suggest NOT opening any can of worms or encourage any harassment by paying anything. Don't feel sorry for the credit card companies.
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DesertGirl, my heartfelt sympathy to you and your husband.

I was thinking the same thing as JoAnn, why hasn't Medicare and the supplemental insurance not paid the bill? But then again, your mother-in-law just past last month so it may take time for Medicaid/supplemental to pay.

I know I had to set up a bank account in the Estate of Freflyer's Dad, to use to pay any of his bills. I did not use any of my personal checks. Medicare/supplement covered the vast majority of his stay in the hospital.

I would vote for paying the credit card. And I fully understand why you feel you would want to pay the credit card, out of courtesy. I would have done the same thing.
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DesertGrl53 Mar 2019
Thank you for your condolences, Freqflyer. I appreciate your response.
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Was MIL on Medicare and a supplimental. If so I would question the amt.
Have you received the Medicare statement and the supplimental statement? I would just be curious why such a big balance.

But when all is said and done, if there is no money than the bill can't get paid. You are not responsible for it. I would pay the credit card and contact them to close the account.
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If the small checking account can't cover the c.$70, then it's not so much small as minuscule, isn't it? But if it can, then it gets used to pay the credit card bill; and the balance should go to the hospital bill assuming that this is a valid claim. Then her 'estate' will only owe the hospital $34,983, say, and your husband's conscience will be entirely clear.

Nothing else going to come creeping out of the woodwork is there? - but in any case, not your problem, no.
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There is nothing to probate. Her small life insurance policy went to pay for her funeral and memorial stone.
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