What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? OREGON (for deceased); I live in California.
My mother recently died with a net negative estate value. The pertinent (I think) details are:
(1) My mother died in March 2005 in Oregon. She had been a resident of that state for about the past 10 years.
(2) Shortly before her death, she had about $10,000 - $15,000 in debt. During the last few days of her life, she incurred an additional (approximate) $20,000 - $30,000 in hospital bills.
(3) She had approximately $5,000-$10,000 in assets at the time of her death.
(4) Based on (2) and (3), she had an approximate net liability of $20,000 - $40,000 at the time of her death.
(5) I live in California, where I have been a permanent resident for approximately the past 15 years.
(6) My brother - an Oregon resident for 20+ years - made some end-of-life decisions as requested by the hospital where my mother died about 3-4 days after admission.
(7) There was no will.
(8) I have never been a co-signer for any of her debt.
(9) I have not had any contact whatsoever with my mother for the past 6-7 years.
(10) To the best of my knowledge, some official from the State of Oregon is currently making arrangements for the disposal of her assets.
Some family members are worried that her debt - especially the hospital bills -
may somehow be passed on to us, her only surviving family members.
Finally, my question:
Can I be liable for her debt?
Thanks for your assistance,
Martin
My mother recently died with a net negative estate value. The pertinent (I think) details are:
(1) My mother died in March 2005 in Oregon. She had been a resident of that state for about the past 10 years.
(2) Shortly before her death, she had about $10,000 - $15,000 in debt. During the last few days of her life, she incurred an additional (approximate) $20,000 - $30,000 in hospital bills.
(3) She had approximately $5,000-$10,000 in assets at the time of her death.
(4) Based on (2) and (3), she had an approximate net liability of $20,000 - $40,000 at the time of her death.
(5) I live in California, where I have been a permanent resident for approximately the past 15 years.
(6) My brother - an Oregon resident for 20+ years - made some end-of-life decisions as requested by the hospital where my mother died about 3-4 days after admission.
(7) There was no will.
(8) I have never been a co-signer for any of her debt.
(9) I have not had any contact whatsoever with my mother for the past 6-7 years.
(10) To the best of my knowledge, some official from the State of Oregon is currently making arrangements for the disposal of her assets.
Some family members are worried that her debt - especially the hospital bills -
may somehow be passed on to us, her only surviving family members.
Finally, my question:
Can I be liable for her debt?
Thanks for your assistance,
Martin