All proceeds from those claims are now deposited into my own personal accounts as the sole beneficiary.
The entire contents of her estate amounted to around $5,000 of personal belongings.
At this time the house has gone through foreclosure, including all the furnishings and personal belongings left inside.
I also havent filed any of her tax paperwork for the prior year for her final taxes.
I have already asked two attorneys but both of them have simply said that I can walk away.
But I have some reservations in doing so, as it just does not feel normal.
-J.
Dear J.,
Maybe this doesnt feel normal because its an unusual situation.
So instead of focusing on whats normal, lets focus on whats right.
Your mothers estate is responsible for paying her debts, including the taxes she owed.
Had your mother left you money in her will, its unlikely that you would have gotten anything.
Probate courts usually require that creditors be paid in full before heirs get a dime.
The money cant be seized by creditors, and you dont have to worry about taxes or liens.
The bottom line: This money is 100% yours.
Youre not legally or morally responsible for your mothers debt.
Looking for other ways to pay off debt?
Here are some little ways to make some extra cash.
I think the gray area here concerns your relatives.
I get that your mother instructed you not to notify them of her death.
But if you simply received this communication via a video message, you didnt agree to anything.
That doesnt mean you should probably get into details of your moms estate or the money she left you.
You could send them an email letting them know of her death.
If they ask for more information, you might tell them honestly that youre not involved with the estate.
But you dont have to worry about paying off her debt.
That money belongs to you, not your moms creditors or the IRS.
Robin Hartill is a certified financial planner and a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder.
Send your tricky money questions to[email protected]or chat with her inThe Penny Hoarder Community.
