Who pays the credit card debt when the account holder dies?

If the account holder was married and resided in a community property state, the surviving spouse might be responsible. Debts, including credit cards, mortgages, and taxes of a deceased person are handled by their estate, pursuant to state probate laws and federal tax code. The decedent's will (if any) is filed; if no will is found, then the state probate laws of "intestacy" apply. In either case, the court issues a document opening an estate and appointing an executor (or administrator). The executor is responsible for a complete inventory and evaluation of all assets, locating and identifying debts and claims, filing the decedent's and estate's tax returns, and proposes a dispensation of the assets. The court will rule on the dispensation and close the estate when it has a full accounting from the executor. All of the beneficiaries are entitled to a copy of the records and dispensation.