Form letter to creditors?

Question

My husband die 3 months ago. I cannot afford our house and my name was not on the mortgage. We moved in with my mother. There are also two credit cards with his name only I cannot afford. There is no estate to speak of. We were barely making ends meet. I am unemployed with two small children living on survivors benefits. Is there a form letter I can send to the creditors stating I cannot pay them? I have looked online and cannot find one. I am not good with wording in such cases. If there isn't one, can someone help me with the wording? Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

A letter making them feel sorry isn't going to help you.  They don't care about anything but getting paid.  You're only option is looking thru the law and finding a loop hole to get you off his debt.... for that I recommend finding an attorney... maybe a bankruptcy attorney would be your best bet... they are experts on credit laws.

Answer 2

BDancer is correct. Dont let these companies bully you into paying.

Answer 3

If these loans were in his name only, you are not responsible to pay them.   If there are any assets in his estate, the debts would be paid before anything passes to his heirs.

You only need a simple letter:

RE:  Account # ________

To Whom It Concerns:

My husband, (full name), passed away (date).  A photocopy of his death certificate is attached.

Unfortunately there are no assets in his estate and there is no money to pay his debts.

Sincerely,

Since there is a house in his name, you may need to contact an attorney to go thru probate, especially if there is any equity in that house.  But contact the mortgage company separately, if you have not already done so.  If there is no equity in that house, just let the mortgage company take it.

Some credit card companies will insist that you are liable for those credit cards.  No matter what they say, you are not liable.  Don't talk to them on the phone.  

Also, you can sent photocopies of the death certificate.  You do not need to send those expensive certified copies.

Answer 4

Just write an honest letter and explain your situation. Send it certified. Keep good records

Answer 5

If you were not on the loans or the credit cards you are not liable for his debt.  You can create a very simple form letter indicating that he has passed away and provide a copy of his death certificate as proof.