Apr 1, 2026 · Keeping utilities in a deceased person's name isn't always illegal, but it can create fraud risks and personal liability for executors if left unaddressed.

If you were renting from someone who died and utilities were in their name, contact the executor about proper handling. The estate should either transfer utilities to their name for estate administration or …

Medical debt and hospital bills don't simply go away after death. In most states, they take priority in the probate process, meaning they usually are paid first, by selling off assets if need be.

Jul 31, 2025 · Can I be held responsible for a utility bill in someone else's name? Utilities like electric companies are going to try to collect money from whoever they can. If an electric bill built up while …

Here's what to know about notifying utilities companies after death, changing the name on utility bills after a death, and other information on what to do with the utilities when someone dies.

Aug 6, 2025 · Whether or not you’re liable for your spouse’s old debts after they pass depends on a mix of factors—state laws, the type of debt, how assets were owned, and whether any accounts were …

Aug 2, 2023 · For survivors of deceased loved ones, including spouses, you’re not responsible for their debts unless you shared legal responsibility for repaying as a co-signer, a joint account holder, or if …

By law, family members usually don’t have to pay the debts of a deceased relative from their own money. If there isn’t enough money in the estate to cover the debt, it usually goes unpaid. But there …

Jan 21, 2025 · A reader's husband passed away a few years ago and now a debt collector has come calling. Here's what to keep in mind when a spouse dies with debt.

Find the contact numbers for the utility accounts that require a change. Call each one and tell the representative that you want to remove your deceased spouse's name from your account.