Is A Life Insurance Beneficiary Responsible For Debt? 
No , although creditors may find out you received the tax-free death benefit and try to convince you that you have to pay the debt of the one who passed away . IF debt is owed , that is where probate comes in . Generally the proceeds received from a Life Insurance policy are free from probate . Probate will go after the Estate and may decide that some of the monies in the estate , ie . the sale of a house , car , etc. . go to pay that past debt . 