 TITLE: What Happens to Medical Debt When You Die? CONTENT: Can the Death of a Relative With Medical Debt Affect Your Credit?\n-----------------------------------------------------------------\nIn most cases, the death of a parent or other relative with medical debt will not affect your credit, because you are not personally responsible for the debt. However, if you cosigned on medical debt, live in a community property state, or live in a state with filial responsibility laws, and the deceased's estate is insolvent, it's possible you could be personally liable for the debt. How will that affect your credit?\nMedical debt is treated differently than most other types of debt. It won't show up on your credit report even if you pay late or the provider's internal collections department starts contacting you asking for payment. Problems arise, however, if the medical provider sells the debt to a third-party collection agency. If that happens, there is a 180-day grace period before the medical collection account will appear on your credit report.\nTaking action within that 180-day window is critical to keeping your credit score healthy. Use this time to get any billing errors corrected or work with the deceased's health insurance to pay the bill. If you can't get insurance to pay the bill, contact the medical provider to resolve the issue. You may be able to negotiate to lower or cancel the bill or work out a payment plan. Whatever you do, don't ignore medical bills. Collection accounts related to unpaid medical debt will stay on your credit report for seven years from the original delinquency date, which can significantly damage your credit. END