What Happens to Unpaid Bills in Probate?

The death of a loved one is an emotional and trying time. The last thing the surviving family members want is to be left dealing with the deceased loved one’s unpaid debts. Unfortunately, unpaid bills after someone’s death are not uncommon, and they can add additional stress to the already difficult grieving process.

If you are living in Florida, this guide will provide you with a clear understanding of what happens to unpaid bills in probate, who is responsible for them, and whether these debts can be forgiven. Our Pompano Beach estate litigation lawyer at Mark R. Manceri, P.A., can evaluate your particular case and explain what happens to your loved one’s unpaid bills.

How to Find Out if Your Deceased Loved One Had Unpaid Bills?

The first step in handling unpaid bills during probate is to determine if the deceased person had any outstanding financial obligations. Start by checking the deceased person’s mail for any unpaid bills. If you have access to their email, check there as well. Also, request a credit report on the deceased person to determine any open accounts or outstanding bills that may have gone unnoticed.

Who Is Responsible for Paying the Deceased’s Unpaid Bills?

The deceased person’s debts and unpaid bills are paid during the probate process before any assets are distributed to the beneficiaries.

In Florida, the deceased person’s estate is responsible for paying their outstanding debts. This means that the executor named in the will or the administrator appointed by the court will be responsible for paying off the bills from the estate’s assets.

What Happens to Unpaid Bills in Probate?

When a person dies, their estate goes through a legal process known as probate. During the probate process, all outstanding debts and bills are identified and paid off using the estate’s assets. If there are not enough assets to cover all the debts, the remaining bills may go unpaid, and the creditors will have to write them off as losses.

Can Your Deceased Loved One’s Debts Be Forgiven?

Creditors are not obligated to forgive debts, even after the death of the debt owner. However, in certain situations, some debts may be forgiven. For example, if the deceased person had credit card debt, the credit card company may be willing to forgive the debt if the deceased person had no joint account holders, and there are not enough assets in the estate to cover the debt.

Additionally, if the deceased person had medical bills, some hospitals may be willing to write off the debt if the person was uninsured and had little to no assets. Generally, creditors may also be willing to forgive debts that are deemed burdensome for the estate.

Not Sure What to Do with a Loved One’s Unpaid Bills? Call Mark R. Manceri, P.A.

Dealing with unpaid bills after the death of a loved one is never easy, but being aware of the situation and understanding the legal process can help ease the burden. If your loved one died and left behind unpaid bills or debts, you might want to seek the assistance of a skilled probate lawyer at Mark R. Manceri, P.A. We can help you understand what to do with your loved one’s unpaid bills to comply with all applicable laws in Florida. Call 954-491-7099 for a case evaluation.