wife passes away and leaves husband in a lot of debt...

[see_mack2006]

My ex wifes mother just recently passed away and her husband is now finding out about several credit cards and personal loans that she took out with his name on them. He did not give her permission to do so and when I say debt...we are talking a $25,000 personal loan and credit cards totalling close to $30,000. I don't really know much about these 2 issues but don't you need to provide a signature or atleast something to say "Yes, I want this loan or credit card in my name."?? Is it at all possible for this debt that has been dropped on his lap recently to be erased somehow? He is 60 years old, currently laid off and caring for his mid-20's son who has some fairly serious health problems and just doesn't have the money to pay on this stuff. He is afraid he is close to losing his house if he doesn't make the payments but does not want to(obviously). Obviously, when married for 35 years, you think you can trust your significant other to handle the bills accordingly and he just didn't get involved with them. She worked 2nd shift so she was able to get the statements when they came in so to him, most of these bills never existed. Of course, when applying for the loan she used his social security number only because he made decent money at the time and she wasn't working. As far as the credit cards, she also used his social security number as well as her own to open up those accounts also. What can he do, if anything??

He can dispute it and unless they are in a community property state he will not be liable.

Community debt

Whether you are married or single, you alone are normally responsible for paying off the debt. The account will appear only on your credit report, and may in limited cases appear on the credit report of any "authorized" user. However, if you live or have lived in a community property state (Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, or Wisconsin), you and your spouse in some cases may be responsible for debts incurred during the marriage, and the individual debts of one spouse may appear on the credit report of the other.