Liability for Debts: What to Do?

Questioner

My 75-year-old mother no longer wants any contact with us. She is being severely exploited by a family member and has already accumulated considerable debt as a result. Are my sister and I liable for this if she dies? How can we prevent this?

Lawyer

A surviving relative may be liable for the debts of the deceased. The determining factor here is whether there is a will. There are several ways of acceptance or rejection. Depending on the situation, a surviving relative can accept an inheritance with benefit of inventory – that is, not including the debts. If you wish, you can contact us without any obligation.