Is my Mom responcible for my Dad's two credit card debts?

[mepy2k]

What is the name of your state? Florida

My Dad passed away in April 2007. He left a debt with two cards that total around $7k. This past week we found that his identity was used or that some form of credit card fraud was committed in his name on another card with a $0 balance and the merchandise was mailed overseas. Now, we have found out that my Mom wasn't on that credit cards as a co applicant, but was an authorized user given by him. I asked all the accounts that were being notified about the identity theft did they have her SSI number as an applicant and all said no. Come to find out that on all his credit cards, everyone, she wasn't listed and only as an authorized user on three. My Mom has had no credit history, but she assumed the house and the three old paid for cars plus the bank account because her name was on them as a co signer also.

My first question is how can a credit card company issue a card to one spouse only and tell the surviving spouse to pay up after they found out he's dead...Why doesn't the law require that if your married that all entireties be responsible so that surprises don't arise like this?

My second question is now collectors are calling and maintaining that she's responsible because she was an authorized user, should she pay the debt for my Dad and if she does, will this encumber her to anything that might pop up in the future.


My last question is that we didn't open an estate, because everything he had was the house and the cars. The money in the bank is her's only. Should we go through opening up an estate?

Thanks
M

[HomeGuru]

duplicate post.