An 83-year-old has $31,000 in credit card debt — her daughter needs to know one thing before paying another bill

Rose has been helping her 83-year-old mother manage her finances for years. At one point, her mother owed about $46,000 across several credit cards, but the debt has since decreased to about $31,000. Rose continues to assist with payments, often using her own money to cover everyday expenses and keep her mother's accounts current.

While helping her mother is compassionate, Rose should be cautious about putting her financial security at risk. When someone dies with unpaid credit card bills, creditors typically seek payment from their estate. Rose may become responsible for the balance only if she is a joint account holder or co-signer on the debt. To avoid potential financial trouble, Rose should determine her legal status on her mother's credit card accounts before making any further payments.