Lived together, one with no will, both die, credit card debt

[Marianne]

My father lived with a women for 10 years, who died seven years ago with no will. Her children within that time did not ask for any of her property. My father died recently and now her son wants her bedroom furniture. I am the executor of my fathers will. What responsibility do I have in giving this property to him. I was not made aware by either of them what furniture belongs to either person and not instructed to give property to anyone from either of them. My father owed $6000 in credit card debt and I may need to sell his property to satisfy this debt. I am afraid he may ask for items that I do not know who it belong to. The furniture was always in the home as long as they lived together and I can not say how it was acquired.

 

[army judge]

My father lived with a women for 10 years, who died seven years ago with no will. Her children within that time did not ask for any of her property. My father died recently and now her son wants her bedroom furniture. I am the executor of my fathers will. What responsibility do I have in giving this property to him. I was not made aware by either of them what furniture belongs to either person and not instructed to give property to anyone from either of them. My father owed $6000 in credit card debt and I may need to sell his property to satisfy this debt. I am afraid he may ask for items that I do not know who it belong to. The furniture was always in the home as long as they lived together and I can not say how it was acquired.

First of all, please accept my condolences upon the loss of your father.

Fortunately, our debts are extinguished upon our death.

You don't owe your dad's debts, but can pay them off if you wish.

If dad had substantial assets, you may wish to do that.

What you do with dad's furniture is up to you.

I doubt that you'll get $600 for used furniture these days, less alone $6,000.

You can choose to give the bedroom set to the person that inquired about it, or politely decline.

Death does make some people behave oddly, I've found, and almost a decade later, too.

Otherwise, you can take it all and cart it away.

If dad dies without a will, the laws of intestacy apply.

Here is what Wisconsin law (if it is another state, Google "intestacy state in question") says about intestacy:

http://www.mystatewill.com/statutes/wi_law.php

Merry Christmas.