Credit card debt

When you die, your estate is responsible for paying off the balance. If the estate goes through probate, your administrator or executor will look at your assets and debts and, guided by law, determine in what order bills should be paid. Remaining assets will be distributed to heirs by following your will (if you have one), or state law (if you don't).

if your husband or wife has a separate card account and runs up debt, at death "it's possible that debt could pass to the spouse,"

She repeatedly asked the card company for proof that she was a co-signer on the account, she recalls. They assured her she was but refused to show her any documentation. Finally, she received a court summons: The company was suing.

If you are married legally and you share a credit history and she is named in your will as your heir then yes, she will be responsible for the settlement of your estate, which includes all debt.

No she is not responsible for your debt

Your wife will be responsible for paying for credit card debts is she is responsible for your estate.

Once you die all your assets and liabilities which will be your debt will be included within your estate. Your estate will then go through probate and the executor will distribute the wealth and debt accordingly. If you are your spouse have joined accounts then it is almost certain that the debt will end up with you. If you have separate accounts then there is a outside chance that the debt will not be passed on as you were unaware of the account however this is very rare.

If you are worried about the debt of your spouse then it might be an idea to set up a life insurance policy or whole of life insurance policy where the sum assured is the amount in debt. You will pay a monthly premium and on death of your spouse you will receive the proceeds which will be enough to cover the debt. This way you do not have to worry about any debt being passed onto your spouse.

Another product that is becoming more and more popular is the over 50 plan where you pay a premium in exchange for a lump sum on death. These insurance policies are administrated without the need of a medical and you are on risk as soon as you receive the policy. Hope these ideas help.