If a man passes away and leaves credit card debts soley in his name can his wife be held responsible for the debts?

Answer

Unfortunately yes. It's the same in Canada. Even though he may have the credit cards and she didn't, any debts he incurs are her responsibility. There is a loop hole though (I found it when I got a divorce from my first husband.) When you owe money to any company, be it a credit card company or not, these companies will often take full advantage of hounding the wife in hopes of scaring her. Since I didn't sign any agreement with the credit card company and a car shop, they legally could not hold me responsible, but I had to go to a lawyer to beat it. I suggest she seek legal council. Hopefully he has left her with stocks/bonds/bank accounts and she will get Widow's Pensions, etc. If he has served in ANY armed forced she is entitled to those benefits as well. these debts and she is left with personal loans or a mortgage on the house she will have to continue on with those payments, and if she can't afford it she does have the option of selling or perhaps renting the house out to pay off the mortgage.

Good luckMarcy