Which debts are surviving family members responsible when someone dies?

In certain cases, surviving family members may be held responsible for a deceased person's debts. SeventyFour/Getty Images When a loved one dies, the people they leave behind are often forced to make important financial decisions related to the estate — and in many cases, they must do so quickly. In addition to navigating funeral arrangements and probate matters, there may be bank accounts to close, property to transfer and outstanding bills that still need attention. And, in many cases, those responsible for handling the estate are also seeing the full picture of their loved one's finances for the first time. Navigating these issues has become even more complicated, though, now that more older Americans are carrying debt well into retirement . After all, credit card balances, personal loans, medical expenses and other financial obligations don't always just disappear when someone dies, which means their family members often have to determine what happens next. The challenge is that the rules governing those debts aren't always easy to understand. Some obligations are paid through the deceased person's estate, but in certain cases, surviving family members may become responsible for payment instead. Understanding where those lines are drawn, then, can help avoid costly mistakes. So, which debts are surviving family members responsible for after someone dies? Below, we'll examine four specific ones worth knowing. …