Can a Probate Estate Be Obligated to Creditors?

While a loved one’s estate is going through the probate process, you may receive some of their bills or other obligations in the mail and be wondering whether the estate is obligated to pay them.

The short answer is typically yes. The personal representative of an estate is required by law to publish a “notice to creditors” to enable creditors to come forward and file claims against the estate in probate court. These creditors must be paid prior to the estate being distributed to other heirs or beneficiaries.

However, there are some situations where creditor claims may be barred if the creditor has waited too long to file a claim. If you have questions about your estate’s potential creditors or the probate process, contact our office today.

This article is not intended to be legal advice nor create an attorney-client relationship.