Money from the dead

[Tha-Flash]

What if a company keep phoning and sending letters to our address asking someone to pay a bill who isn't even alive anymore?

What happens?

[dabees]

There are 2 ways, my way is to tell them to pee off. But the legit way is to send them a copy of the death certificate.

If you have no connection to the deceased, just tell them to stop harassing you or you will take action against them.

[Tha-Flash]

Thanks for response!

I don't want to help them, I don't want to have anything to do with them, I want them to stop phoning and sending letters.

Is it enough to just tell them HE'S DEAD?

[terambulan]

If the next of kin of the deceased live at your address then they are liable for the deceased's debts. Whoever the beneficiaries are of the deceased are responsible here.

If bailiffs are knocking tell them you are not related (if that's the truth) else say bills cant be settled till the deceased's Will has gone to probate.

[Tha-Flash]

What if I don't know the deal with the dead and we're not related. What if he has no will?

I don't wanna have anything to do with them why do I even have to talk to them?

[terambulan]

If you're not related nor are a beneficiary in the Will then just ignore the phone calls but better to tell them.

Odd that they phone and not write. Usually its registered mail which you have to sign for proof of delivery.

[terambulan]

The reason you have to talk to them is because you occupy the address the company have for the deceased.

If you moved to the address after the deceased died then you have to prove that to them.

[Tha-Flash]

I'm busy though I don't have time to be dealing with stuff like this. (Thanks for your help btw)

Is there a place where I can find out clearly what all my rights are and how it works with the law?

[Eve]

Did you buy the property from the deceased's executors?

If so then your solicitor should be able to send you a copy of the transfer deed and should have a copy of the death certificate they can send you.

Either that or get the details of the executor, your solicitor will have a name and address just not a phone number but may be able to get it if they ring the seller's solicitors and explain the situation and the executor gives their consent for their details to be given.

Give them to the people who ring and forward the letters to them so they can deal with it.

Rather sadly I'm sure there are people who try to get rid of debt collectors by claiming they are dead so they're probably more wary now.

[keithlbw]

Give them a forwarding address :-- ie Plot C Row 5 Anytown Cemetary.

[Ethel]

I get the feeling you don't want to deal with them because you are trying to hide something.

If you aren't, taking ten minutes to write a letter and send it by recorded delivery is the only way to stop them contacting you.

When a person dies his debts have to be paid from his estate. This is the duty of the executor, or next of kin. If the deceased left absolutely nothing, then it is the executor's duty to inform the creditors.

Nobody can inherit what the deceased did not have. If he had �1000 but debts of �1000 he has nothing to leave.

[ccfluff]

Write a letter to them and ask for a copy of the original credit agreement, they have to provide this under the consumer credit act and only have 40 days to produce the documentation.
When or if you received this write back and say neither your details or signature is on the documents so you are not liable for the debt.
Find out first about The Consumer Credit Act from one of the search engines.

[Tha-Flash]

Thanks for ur responses, I appreciate it.

[Loosehead]

Terembulan: Next of kin are not liable for the debts of the deceased.

[redcrx]

Surely the best way is to give them the exact details they need to correctlky chase the debt. If youre not related to the deceased then put it in writing to them and send by registered mail.

If you dont want to talk to them or do anything then start screening your calls and dont answer your door because they wont stop without reason.

[LoftyLottie]

You cannot inherit debts. These do not pass down to the next of kin but are dealt with by the estate before the beneficiers receve any inheritance. If a person dies without leaving anything then the debt is written off.

http://bc-lawline.blogspot.com/2007/06/you-can not-inherit-debt.html

[LoftyLottie]

Sorry Loosehead, I did not see your reply. I do wish people wouldn't post incorrect information on questions like this. If you don't know then don't answer or say you are not sure.

[factor-fiction]

Tha-Flash: have you told us everything we need to know. It may help if you could explain how you came to move into the property and what connection if any you had with teh deceased person's family/estate.
The debts would have to be paid from the deceased' person's estate provided there's enough to cover them. if there was a property that should be enough to cover the debts.
If you have absolutely no connection with the deceased person then you should be okay- and if you've got time to post on here you may find you have time to deal with it. by letter. If you have some knowledge of the estate then pass the letters on to the executor as it's their responsibility and let thedebt collector know this. If you have no knowledge of who the previous tenant's family/next of kin/executor is then try the solicitor who arranged the purchase or the council if it's council property.