I read Steve'Weisman's answer to this question, but it was vague. I have stacks of my late mother's bills. They are mainly medical bills. She had no will. I can't figure out what she owed to whom. Some have been turned over to collection agencies so they have different account numbers. I don't have the money for court costs to open a probate. I would really appreciate some advice.
You might want to check out some professionals that offer claims assistance or medical bill assistance. Try http://www.patientadvocate.org/ [patientadvocate.org]. There are professionals that do this as well; claims.org and medicalbilladvisor.com. Good luck!
Thank you I'll check that out!
If your mother owned property (and there is no spouse or minor children to be cared for) you need to start the probate process and have an executor/administrator appointed so someone will have legal authority to deal with her creditors. If she own property you will probably need to liquidate those assets and pay the creditors. If there is a spouse and/minor children left behind and need to be provided for, the property could pass to the husband...and the creditors can be told that there is no estate beyond the residence and social security income.
The probate process will require creating an inventory of the deceased's assets...that will let you know what she had to appy to bills. I would also get in touch with all the credits...contact the names on the bills and try to determine who she owed and for what services rendered. You can tell them that your mother is deceased and her estate is yet to be determined...but it appears she had no assets. They will ask for a copy of the death certificate..and might follow up with you later. I did this with my father...called all his doctors, hospitals and creditors and told him of his passing and that he left no estate to speak of and his widow was living in the family home. Good Luck
Watch This
