At death, most debts are forgiven. This means that if the deceased had outstanding debts, these are generally wiped clean when they pass away. This is because the creditors can no longer collect the debt from the deceased. However, there are certain exceptions to this rule. 

 

In certain cases, the deceased’s estate can be liable for the debts. For example, if the deceased had taken out a loan jointly with another person, the other person is still liable for the debt and the estate will be obligated to pay the loan if the other person cannot. The estate can also be liable for debts related to taxes, child support, and alimony. 

 

Who pays for a funeral if there is no will? Generally, the deceased’s estate is responsible for paying for a funeral. This means that any assets or money that the deceased had will go toward paying for the funeral. If the assets are not enough to cover the cost of the funeral, then the family or other parties may need to pay the remaining balance. 

 

If the deceased did not have any assets, then the family may be able to use a life insurance policy to cover the cost of the funeral. If this is not an option, then the family may be able to receive assistance from government programs. 

 

In some cases, the funeral home may provide financing for funerals. This can be used if the family does not have the funds to pay for the funeral. Additionally, there are a variety of other organizations that may be able to assist in covering the cost of the funeral. 

 

Losing a loved one is never easy and there are a lot of loose ends to tie. Before any of these can be handled, you need a copy of the death certificate. While you can obtain it from the Department of Home Affairs, it’s much faster and more convenient to use a document agent like DocAssist to do it on your behalf. For more information, get in touch with DocAssist today. 

 

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