Are you responsible for your spouse's credit card debt after his death in the state of California?

In community property states a married couple are considered to own all property equally and be responsible for all debts equally that are accrued during the marriage regardless of which spouse is named as the debtor.

This however, is not a "done deal" as the surviving spouse may have some recourse after the deceased spouse's estate (if any) has been probated. His or her estate would consist of property and/or assets acquired before the marriage and other such matters as deemed applicable by the probate court.