Spousal Debt After Death

Summary

In Ohio, a spouse isnt typically responsible for the individual debts of a deceased spouse unless they co-signed the debt. The estate should cover any outstanding debts, and if the estate cant cover it, the debt generally doesnt pass to relatives. If there are no assets, probate isnt necessary. Consulting a probate attorney is advisable to understand your obligations and rights in detail.

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My wife passed away in September I just got a letter from the state attorney's office saying there's a bill owed $*, * we're separated for over 3 years I came back from Florida to help take care of her she was dying she passed September 29th I did not have a will power of attorney we had separate bank accounts she lived her life I live mine but somehow met in the middle before her death I had to put money in her account cuz she was negative to pay social security back ASAP closed her account I don't know her banking information she had no assets what are my options
Hello ****, I'm sorry for your loss. To better assist you, could you please tell me the state where your wife lived? Laws regarding debts after death vary from state to state.
Ohio
I'm sorry for your loss, ****. In Ohio, the spouse isn't generally responsible for the individual debts of a deceased spouse unless they co-signed the debt. However, here are some key points:
- The estate should cover any outstanding debts.
- If the estate can't cover it, the debt generally doesn't pass to relatives.
- Consult a probate attorney for precise advice.
I contacted a probate attorney this morning and was told if she had no assets probates is not an issue
That's correct, ****. If your wife had no assets, there is no estate to probate. Therefore, you generally wouldn't be responsible for her debts. However, it's always advisable to consult a legal expert to understand your obligations and rights in detail.