Is an heir responsible for debts of an estate?
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Is an heir responsible for debts of an estate?
My daughter’s father died less than a month ago; he remarried to a Polish woman. She told us that there is no Will and if she adds my daughter to the estate, my daughter will owe thousands of dollars She is only daughter 21 years old and I don’t know what to advise her.
Asked on April 18, 2015 under Estate Planning, Florida
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 8 years ago | Contributor
Heirs (or beneficiaries) are not liable for the debts of an estate. All debts are paid from estate assets (e.g. money in back accounts, the sale of a car, etc). To the extent that there is not enough money pay all creditors, the debts are extinguished as a matter of law (i.e. the creditors don't get all of what is owed to them).
To the extent all creditors are paid in full, then any remaining assets are distributed to the heirs. Since you appear not to know what your ex-husband did or did not leave in his estate, you should contact the probate court in which his estate is being handled to find out more, or you could contact a local probate lawyer for advice.
Christine Socrates / Christine Sabio Socrates, Atty at Law
Answered 9 years ago | Contributor
That is untrue, the probate estate is responsible for paying his debts not the beneficiaries. They do not have personal responsibility for his debts. If the debts exceed the assets of the estate, it is an insolvent estate and could file as such.
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