Since my wife's passing away a few days ago from Cancer, I've been getting mail from 5 of her creditors, totaling an unpaid debt of over $33,000. I never knew she had accumualted charges in that amount! The statements were all in her name; I was not a co-signer on any of her accounts. Am I expected to pay this? I just turned 85 and have no income except Social Security payments. Hal
Is your daughter still there helping you, @Hal Pollner ? It looks to me like you need to find out who is the executor of her will, and if he is not an attorney, then you should probably get some advice from an attorney who specializes in this. Possibly, her executor can take care of everything, and you do not have to try and figure it all out. Also, check her bank account, and see if there is a beneficiary on the account, and who it is. If she was receiving cancer treatment, she probably has medical expenses.
@Hal Pollner . Please have your daughter contact an attorney. Each state is different. When my .mom died attorney told dad not to pay her only credit card bill. You.need legal council and in some areas there are organizations to help you for free.
Since my wife is no longer around, how is the title to her car released if she can't sign it? Thanks, Hal
I am not a lawyer, nor have I played on on TV, but I think it may differ from state to state. In Michigan, if the estate is not probated, you can present the title to the car and the death certificate to the Secretary of State's office, fill out a form, and the car can be put in your name.
Of course, there are other required steps if you're still making payments on it...there would be a lien filed by the lender.
Here is the link to California's DMV page on dealing with a deceased person's stuff. https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehic...nces/handling-a-deceased-persons-dmv-matters/ There's some generic stuff that universally applies at the beginning (turn in their license, turn in their Handicap Parking placards, etc), then further down the page are sections titled "Transferring Ownership of a Vehicle or Vessel" and "Transfer Without Probate."
In Arizona, the owner's title must be signed on it's reverse side releasing ownership. The signature MUST be notarized; that's the only kicker. Frank
After DH died, I took the registration card and his death certificate to the DMV. They changed it to my name and I could sell it if I wanted to. There was a small fee to change it.
When my mom died, we were advised to get multiple copies of the death certificate to present / send to various creditors and others to close accounts and settle affairs. I think I ordered a dozen, but needed only about 4.
I think she mentioned that she took the death certificate. The California DMV requires a death certificate. I bet that most do. When I administered my mother's estate I paid for a bunch of copies, because it seemed that everyone required one. The main consideration with vehicles seems that people don't have to wait for the estate to be probated, since [I assume] the vehicle's condition may degrade by the time that's done.