How should I pay this funeral bill?
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How should I pay this funeral bill?
| Wed, 05-31-2006 - 8:58am |
Well, now that the dust has settled a bit, I find myself pondering how I am going to pay for this funeral bill. It is $6075, no interest for 30 days, 18% APR after that. Normally in this situation, i would find a low interest loan to pay it, but I am wondering if I should just make payments as is and try to recoup that when the estate gets settled. I signed financial responsibility, but I expect my sibs to pay their share, too (not that that means much of anything.)
Is is best just to keep this bill as it is and not worry about the APR, or doesn't it matter if it is going to go through the whole probate process? I plan to pay about $200/month towards it. Any thoughts?
Is is best just to keep this bill as it is and not worry about the APR, or doesn't it matter if it is going to go through the whole probate process? I plan to pay about $200/month towards it. Any thoughts?

Who is actually handling the settling of the estate? The estate should pay this. It doesn't take long to get money released from an estate. Do you have to go through probate?
Do you have a lawyer handling this -- are you the executor? Whoever the executor is should have access to any money in the estate -- and should be paying the bills. Not you personally.
Megan
Heather-
I would be very leery of moving it into another loan into only your name. If your sibs are already being irresponsible than there is a good chance they will "forget" about their obligations to this.
My mom died in October and my sibs(there are 6 ofus) seemed to have forgotten everything very quickly.
I don't know about probate because since her estate was so small we didn't have to go through it.
loca
All of these types of bills: last illness (hospital, labs, etc.), funeral, costs associated with the deceased's property (probate, executor fees, costs for disposing of property such as selling real estate, investments, etc., and administering your loved one's estate) are paid by the estate.
Once the Will is entered into probate and the executor/executrix appointed with the legal letters of administration to act on behalf of the estate, then all of these bills should be forwarded to the attorney's office for payment.
If you have paid any of these type of expenses out-of-pocket you are entitled to reimbursement. This is quite common. Often times we have to cover costs in order to get matters taken care of, matters that can not wait for the probate to open. You might not feel comfortable asking for reimbursement, but it is simply the business of taking care of your loved one's affairs, which include paying bills, preparing and filing tax returns, etc.
I'm sorry for the loss of your loved one. It is difficult to mourn their passing and switch gears to deal with bills, unexpected costs and other matters.
Carolyn
My credit is perfect, and I don't want it to take a hit. I know I can't really count on my siblings for anything, which is sad. My brother, for example borrowed $20 from me last week and said he would give it back to me as soon as he got to the bank to cash his paycheck. Well, that was last Monday. In the meantime, he has gone out partying and brought home new DVDs. I will get my money back, but I am so annoyed with him. UGH.
Well, I will talk to my aunt once she gets back in town (she's an attorney who knows other attorneys who may be able to help us.) In the meantime, i will just let things sit.
Heather