Grandmother's Debt

[jlm1481]

What is the name of your state? NJ

A credit card was opened in my Grandmother's name, with her permission, and has a balance that has since remained un-paid. It is now gone to Superior court and she is being sued. She is 92 yrs old and lives with my mother. She recieves SSI benefits and has no assets. What can they legally do? Can my mother be held legally responsible?

[Ladynred]

There's not a thing they can take from your grandmother, but I would be worried about her SS check if it is direct deposited into any account with any other funds in it. While her SS is 100% exempt, that won't stop a judgment creditor from seizing a bank account -- and then she would have to prove the SS $$ to get it back. She, or someone, needs to be certain that her exemptions get filed if the judgment goes through.

Was your mother the one who defaulted on the credit card ?? If her name was not on the account, then they can't legally touch her - unless she's charged with ID theft and fraud, something your grandmother likely wouldn't do.

How old is the debt being sued on ? When was the ORIGINAL creditor last paid ?

Has the Answer to the Complaint been filed ??? If not.. why not ? That Complaint MUST be answered within the time frame given.