Full question:
Are the children of a father that died resonsible for his debts?
- Category: Debts and Credit
- Date:
- State: Missouri
Answer:
When a person dies, their debts are settled using the assets in their estate. Generally, children are not responsible for their parent's debts unless they co-signed or are otherwise legally tied to the debt. In community property states, spouses may be liable for certain debts incurred during the marriage.
After debts are paid, any remaining assets are distributed to the beneficiaries. If a child inherits property that has an outstanding debt, such as a car loan or a mortgage, that debt will transfer with the property. If the estate lacks sufficient funds to cover all debts, creditors will be paid in priority order, with secured creditors first. Unsecured debts, like credit card debt, may not be paid if the estate has little or no assets.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.