Bills don't stop coming after someone dies, but experts say you don't have to pay them all immediately. Delaney Haley, a trust and fiduciary advisor at estate platform Alix, advises to wait and negotiate.
Immediately pay only mortgage, taxes, insurance, and utilities to maintain property. Keep receipts for reimbursement from the estate. Other bills, including medical and credit card debts, should be collected and set aside.
You are not personally responsible for a deceased person's debts unless you co-signed or are a joint account holder. Paying low-priority debts first can make you personally liable if there's not enough to cover higher-priority claims like funeral expenses.
Estate representatives must notify creditors, publish a public notice, inventory assets, and pay bills in order of priority: administrative expenses first, then secured debt, then unsecured debt. Unsecured debts are negotiable.
If overwhelmed, seek help from a probate lawyer, legal aid, or a full-service estate settlement company. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offers resources for surviving spouses and families.