 TITLE: How to Handle Credit and Debt After the Death of a Spouse CONTENT: What Happens to Joint Accounts After a Spouse Dies?\n---------------------------------------------------\nCreditors cannot legally close a joint account or modify its terms just because one of the account holders has died. However, creditors typically ask you to reapply for credit in your own name. Based on this application, they will decide whether to continue extending credit or adjust your credit limit.\nSometimes, lenders will mistakenly report both spouses on a joint account as deceased. If this happens, you'll need to determine which creditor made the error and contact them to correct it.\nIf you live in a community property state, any credit accounts your spouse opened while you were married are automatically joint accounts, meaning you're responsible for these debts. Your spouse may have had credit accounts you weren't aware of or have forgotten about, so be sure to keep an eye on all incoming bills and pay them on time to avoid credit damage.\nPaying jointly held accounts on time is critical to maintaining your good credit. Making even one late payment can negatively affect your credit score and make it harder for you to get loans or credit cards in your own name in the future. END