This is horrible. Still, remember that out there somewhere, some distant relative is just getting the news.
“…well, it seems she left you her Jeep Grand Cherokee in her will. It seems to have remarkably low mileage, but its not in the best condition I’m afraid…”
Something like this happened to a colleague of mine (although the interval wasn’t 6 years). He was not in the best of health and had also suffered from depression - so it wasn’t unusual for him to need time off work - one such episode went on longer than usual - our managers made contact with him a few times by phone, but he was not very coherent.
Letters were sent, but he didn’t answer them - visits were made to his house (across the water - so not easy to keep on doing) but he didn’t answer the door - eventually, the company served notice on him and terminated his employment.
Months later (about 9 months, I think), it was discovered that he had been lying dead in his bed for most of that time.
The whole thing was very sad - but there were some odd legal details that added insult to injury - his lights, TV and radio had been on for all that time - and all the utility bills had racked up - because his exact date of death couldn’t be determined, it was recorded as the date when his decomposed remains were found - and for some reason, this meant that his somewhat estranged 20 year old daughter was held liable for the debt, but at the same time (maybe because of an uncancelled will), his assets went to his ex wife, who was further estranged from the daughter and (at least as far as I last heard) refused to help her daughter with the debt.
I can see debts being paid by the estate, but absent an estate don’t ‘your debts die with you’?
Not in all cultures, in some debt can be inherited.
I’ve very fuzzy on this, but I think in France you can’t claim an estate unless you are also willing to claim the debts, but I could very well be wrong on that. I’m sure if I am someone will correct me.
That’s correct. Under civil law, the deceased leaves l’actif and le passif (assets and liabilities). An heir has to accept both, or renounce the succession.
The reason for this approach is that civil law doesn’t have the equivalent of an estate, which in the common law system survives the death of the deceased and has independent legal status. The estate in the common law system can pay the debts first, and then distribute the assets. Since there’s no equivalent to the estate to pay the debts, in the civil law system there has to be someone who accepts the debts.