My father is deceased. My Mom only has one credit card in her wallet, it is in my father’s name. She wants to keep it around for the chance emergency purchase but is concerned that doing so is in some way illegal or immoral. Is this the case?
As far as her cancelling that card and getting one in her own name, she is 74 years old and living on Social Security benefits and help from us kids. Would she be able to get a card in her name under those circumstances?
Let’s just rule out one of us getting an account that gives her a card as well – she’d never go for that.
Does she have signing authority on the card? If so, I think she’s in the clear using her current card as long as she keeps up with payments. I know after my grandfathers death, my grandmother kept all accounts in his name (Utilities, phone, etc, etc).
If your mother is an authorized user on your father’s card she MAY be able to use the card. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if the credit card company closes the account once they find out about your father’s death.
If she isn’t an authorized user on the card, then it is illegal and immoral for her to use it. If she cannot get a card on her own, then make her an authorized user on one of your cards for emergency purposes.
My sympathies on the loss of your father. May your family know no more sorrow.
Any chance her name was on the application or had joint responsibility of any kind?
As long as charges are paid up on receipt and CCCo doesn’t complain I’d let it ride.
They want to keep card holders, not cut them off. Slight possibility of cancellation due to death but doubt they check the OB collumn in the newpapers.
signing authority -- I doubt it. It was very near the end of Dad's life before we convinced them to get the bank accts put into BOTH of their names.
zev
Thanks for the thought. It has been a while so it no longer stings like it once did. "May your family know no more sorrow." Beautifully worded.
springears
this is essentially what I told her. The payments have been made as always, and the cc compnay benefits from the account remaining open, just as she benefits from having the emergency card. My Mom is old school and signs her name (still) Mrs. Dad's Name.
I guess I could help her fill out the app for a new card somewhere and see if she gets it before she cancels the other card. If it were me, I’d leave it alone, but Mom is something of a worrier so I want her to be comfortable with the situation.
Definitely definitely get her a card under her own name. Because if there’s any kind of billing problem with the card, they won’t give your mother any info about it if her name’s not on the account.
My mother got a credit card bill on my father’s card, with a charge made on it dated a day or two after my father died. When she called to find out what the charge was, the credit card company refused to tell her because her name wasn’t on the account.