Who is responsible for paying the unpaid balance on your grandmother's credit cards after her death?

The decedent's will (if any) assets and debts are filed in probate court pursuant to state laws. Nonexempt assets are used to pay outstanding debts. Surviving family members are not responsible for the decedents debts unless they were a joint account holder. An exception would be if there is a surviving spouse and the couple resided in a community property state.