Must I re-pay my deceased father's debts? -- EU, UK laws

[symbiosis]

Hi

I'm a UK national and resident who had a Greek national & resident father.

Upon my father's death, I inherited his estate. This included a share portfolio with a Greek bank (actually Portugese owned).

The bank are saying that these share's were given as security for several loans that my father took out with them and that I must now sell them immediately to repay the loans. However, the value of the shares only covers approximately HALF of the value of the debts.

My questions are:
1) Can they make me sell these shares to repay the loans?
2) Am I responsible for the balance of the debt left if they did sell the shares? My father had no further cash or disposable assests (cars etc) - only some properties that are now in my sole name

Thanks

They cannot make you do anything. Of course, if your father died intestate (without a will or trust) then his estate is going to have to settle any unpaid debts he had. Any assets will go to those debtors first and heirs afterward.

No, you are not personally responsible to pay off anybody's debts but your own; living or deceased.

[annjd]

The estate must pay its valid debts first if any--then you get take the inherited assets remaining if any.