laws in Maine on widows
my mom is now a widow, and she found out after my stepdad's death. He had 20,000 or better in credit card debt. There are just in his name. But the tralior and land he has his name on also. Is my mom responsible for paying this back with her estate with his name on it?
Re: laws in Maine on widows
She is not personally responsible for any of his debts. His estate is responsible, which apparently has assets including a mobile home and land. The credit card company will be a creditor of his estate. As spouse, your mother has a priority to a portion of the estate assets before general creditors get paid. In other words, in Probate law there are certain portions of his estate "exempted" from general creditor claims to pay a spouse and family. Exactly how much I would not know without reviewing the entire situation. My firm and others can administer an estate, file the paperwork with the Court, etc. and be sure the law is followed. The legal cost for administering an estate, even one with modest assets, can range from 1,000 to 2,000.
