Q: My spouse recently passed away. Am I responsible for credit cards in which I am the authorized user and will this affect my credit rating if I can't pay those in which I am only the authorized user?
A: Unless you live in a community property state you generally are not responsible for your late spouse’s individual accounts on which you were an authorized user. Typically, the executor of the estate can send a notice to the creditors letting them know how to file a claim against the estate, if there was one. If there was no estate, send the creditors a copy of the death certificate along with a letter indicating there was no estate.
