Can creditors charge interest on unpaid debts after someone dies?

Debt doesn't just disappear because the person who owed it has died, but what about the interest charges? Pla2na/Getty Images Settling someone else's financial affairs after they die is rarely as straightforward as paying a few final bills and closing some accounts. After all, the process for handling those lingering balances can be confusing, even when you were aware that your loved one would be leaving behind outstanding debt. In these situations, questions often arise about who is responsible for paying which debts, how long creditors have to make claims, and whether those debts could continue to grow while an estate is being settled. Those questions have become increasingly important right now, too, as household debt levels are sitting at record highs. A significant percentage of Americans currently carry multiple forms of debt at once, including credit cards, personal loans, auto loans and mortgages. As a result, executors and surviving family members are more likely to encounter estates that include significant outstanding balances, making it important to understand what happens during the repayment process. One issue that often catches people off guard is interest. It's easy to assume that once someone dies, interest charges stop accumulating. Is that really the case, though, or can creditors continue to charge interest after a borrower dies? Learn how to get rid of your unpaid, high-rate debt for less today . …