Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just received a certified letter from a bill Collector for a Utility bill for a parent who passed away in the spring.
Parent died penniless with no will.
House was in foreclosure at time of death.
Posted here before, concerned I would get bills from nursing home.
Ugh, what do I do with this, I am not responsible for those bills.
Person lived in another state by the way.

Don't pay them. Send them a copy of the death certificate.

you are not responsible...so do not give them any of your info.

IF they want, they can sue your parents and see how that works out for them.

This would be my advice based on my experience. I had a parent die in PA with no will, no money (literally $6.76 in bank account), and many bills. I just called all bills, sent the death certificate and shut everything off. I had a few creditors keep calling and I would just repeat that there was no money in the estate and I don't owe anything. Eventually the calls stopped.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP, I know shy they think I owe it, because they want the money, period. Just frustrated trying to figure out how to get them off my back. I don't have their money.

send them a certified cease letter indidcating that this is not your bill. please don't sign your letter giving them the opportunity to lift your signature and don't dive personal info.

Wow did not think about the signature, thanks for the advise.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just received a certified letter from a bill Collector for a Utility bill for a parent who passed away in the spring.
Parent died penniless with no will.
House was in foreclosure at time of death.
Posted here before, concerned I would get bills from nursing home.
Ugh, what do I do with this, I am not responsible for those bills.
Person lived in another state by the way.

Don't pay them. Send them a copy of the death certificate.

you are not responsible...so do not give them any of your info.

IF they want, they can sue your parents and see how that works out for them.

+1

They know you don't owe it but they will try and get it from you anyway. many people are gullibule and just rather pay them. They are bullies. LEt them know that you will sure them if they continue to contact you regarding someones elses bill.

Anonymous wrote:PP, I know shy they think I owe it, because they want the money, period. Just frustrated trying to figure out how to get them off my back. I don't have their money.

send them a certified cease letter indidcating that this is not your bill. please don't sign your letter giving them the opportunity to lift your signature and don't dive personal info.

Anonymous wrote:Just received a certified letter from a bill Collector for a Utility bill for a parent who passed away in the spring.
Parent died penniless with no will.
House was in foreclosure at time of death.
Posted here before, concerned I would get bills from nursing home.
Ugh, what do I do with this, I am not responsible for those bills.
Person lived in another state by the way.

Don't pay them. Send them a copy of the death certificate.

you are not responsible...so do not give them any of your info.

IF they want, they can sue your parents and see how that works out for them.

PP, I know shy they think I owe it, because they want the money, period. Just frustrated trying to figure out how to get them off my back. I don't have their money.

Even without a will, a person's estate goes through probate and someone "inherits" the estate, even if there is no money attached to the estate. You may very well be the person who is your parent's heir. You do not have to pay this bill with your own money, but you may need to handle this issue with the utility company. They got your name from somewhere and you need to call them and find out why they think you have inherited your parent's estate (along with its problems and debts.) We cannot give you the answer, only the creditor can explain to you how and why they think you are involved.

There was no will so I am not an executor.
Yes this is a state that has filial responsibility, but I THINK that applies to medical bills.
So exasperating, especially after dealing with a fiscally Irresponsible parent who refused to get their act together.
Combustion of grief, feeling bad for loved one who never lived up to their potential, and me being seriously pissed off.

Anonymous wrote:How should I respond??

Call the utility company and find out why they sent you the letter. Find out the reason that THEY think you are responsible and then you can figure out how to go about proving that you are not.

So there is no estate with any assets? Is this in one of those states where children can be held financially responsible for parents? (There was a recent thread on that.). If no assets and no responsibility, then you shouldn't have to pay the bill, I would think. Did the letter provide you with any legal authority that shows you do have to pay? If not, explain that there were no assets and ask them what's the basis for their saying you have to pay.

How should I respond??

Were you listed as the executor of the parent's estate? If so, you may have to prove to any creditors that the estate doesn't have any money. I would call the utility company and ask them what you need to provide to show that the estate doesn't have the money to pay this bill. It will probably take a little bit of time and hassle, but just keep asking what you need to provide and say that you cannot and will not pay with your own money. You may be the executor of the estate by default even if you weren't listed in the will after the estate goes through probate.

Don't pay it. You are not legally responsible. Think they just want to see if they can sucker you into paying what they can't otherwise collect since the customer is deceased.

Just received a certified letter from a bill Collector for a Utility bill for a parent who passed away in the spring.
Parent died penniless with no will.
House was in foreclosure at time of death.
Posted here before, concerned I would get bills from nursing home.
Ugh, what do I do with this, I am not responsible for those bills.
Person lived in another state by the way.