When I was practicing law, I once represented a woman who was administering her father's estate. I asked her to send me a list of the bills she'd received so I could notify creditors. I kept asking, but she never sent it. |
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Tuesday Triage January 27, 2026 |
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Hi there, When I was practicing law, I once represented a woman who was administering her father’s estate. I asked her to send me a list of the bills she’d received so I could notify creditors. I kept asking, but she never sent it. Weeks later, I asked if I could stop by and see her on my way home from work, just to check in. There was a towering stack of unopened envelopes on an armchair in the living room. She couldn’t bring herself to open the mail. She was terrified of what she’d find, and afraid there wouldn’t be enough money. So I sat next to her, and we opened the mail together. One envelope at a time. Today’s Tuesday Triage question is from Tracy in Virginia. She asked: “Do we have to pay our loved one’s credit card bills after their death?” The short answer is: sometimes yes, sometimes no. Most people are not personally responsible for a loved one’s debts, even if they’re the surviving spouse. But you should be aware of four exceptions to that general rule, I discuss them in more detail in today's podcast: - You co-signed the debt (except for the student loan exception, below)
- You're a joint credit card account holder (not just an authorized user)
- You’re a surviving spouse in a state that applies the “doctrine of necessaries” and the debts are for “necessaries” like medical care and basic living expenses
- You’re a surviving spouse and you live in a community property state (AZ, CA, ID, LA, NV, NM, TX, WA, WI)
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If you’re serving as a personal representative or helping a family member, here’s the most important thing I want you to know: You are not supposed to know this already. This system is complicated. You’re allowed to slow down, ask questions, and refuse to pay anything until you understand your rights. Today, I walk through: - Who can legally be forced to pay
- What happens when there isn’t enough money
- And how to protect yourself from making a mistake you can’t undo
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This project started as a way to fill the gaps I kept seeing in client meetings: the space between legal documents and real life. And I’m so proud of what it’s become. |
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The Playbook is rooted in more than a decade of legal experience in trusts and estates but written for people, not lawyers. Inside you’ll find: - plain-English explanations of wills, trusts, and fiduciary roles
- guidance on decisions families often get wrong
- the “why” behind the rules
- and a simple system to organize what your documents assume you already have
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, way behind, or unsure where to start, this Playbook is for you. Thanks for being here today. |
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PS: Got a question for Tuesday Triage? |
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Ferndale, MI 48220, United States |
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