How can I find if really joint account

[fltoo]

If you did not sign an application for a credit card and are only a joint user, you are not responsible for the debt. Stop paying it and send copy of death cert to Chase. Happened to a friend of mine and the death cert stopped Chase in its tracks.

[alironz]

The account was in my Dad's name and there were not sufficient funds to pay for funeral let alone credit card. Should I make another payment to Chase do you think? I asked the lawyer if I was responsible for my Dad's debts and he said no there is no estate. If I understand correctly if I am an authorized user I do not have to pay this but if it is joint account I do. I just did not ever sign that I would be a joint user. Thank you for all your help.

[Flamingo]

Please give me more advice. I have made payments twice on this account since my Dad died based on the threat they told me my credit would be ruined. I have another payment due in a week. I did today write certified mail to COO, CFO, VP of Customer relations and Credit Services. I told them all my story with copies of all correspondence and their letter saying this account was opened over the phone so they cannot provide me with the information I seek. I just don't know what to do.

I think you have been given excellent advice on here and there is not too much else you can do until you hear back from Chase. You mentioned there was an attorney who handled the probate of your dad's estate for you - you may want to give that attorney a call about this situation and get some advice. If this account had your father's name on it at the time of his passing, it should have been included in his estate paperwork.

[alironz]

Please give me more advice. I have made payments twice on this account since my Dad died based on the threat they told me my credit would be ruined. I have another payment due in a week. I did today write certified mail to COO, CFO, VP of Customer relations and Credit Services. I told them all my story with copies of all correspondence and their letter saying this account was opened over the phone so they cannot provide me with the information I seek. I just don't know what to do.

[BigJohn]

If you pay some of the credit card bill it might be construed you accepted the credit card bill.

[alironz]

Thank you. This whole thing gets me so upset but I assume that is what they want. I was told I have to pay until I can prove I am not responsible. Right now I cannot afford to hire a lawyer. The lawyer that did the probate work and my having to pay for most of the funeral has left me with no savings and while I am trying very hard to find a job being a very senior citizen is not helping my cause.

[magyar123]

Talk to a consumer lawyer and possibly sue Chase. What probably happened is that Chase - when you notified them of your dad's death - made you the primary cardholder since you already were an authorized user.
Since these cc companies record phone calls there should be at least transcripts of your dad's conversation making you authorized user and NOT joint user.

[woeisme]

No, making payments is a way of showing them that you implicitly agree that the debt obligation is yours. There are written contracts, which are most binding, but also they can now claim an unwritten implicit agreement that you had with them that you were responsible if you take on that responsibility by paying. Where you might really be hosed is if you made any purchases on the card after father died.... that could really muck it up for you I think.

[alironz]

Also do you suggest I continue to make payments while waiting for this to be resolved?

[alironz]

My Dad did not have credit card insurance and will was probated but as I said not enough to even pay for funeral. I did not ever agree to a joint account and am trying to resolve this. Thank you all for your help.

[AngelinaCat]

Thank you for your advice. My father left no estate - not even enough to pay for funeral. I will follow your suggestions. Do you suggest I continue to make payments while waiting for this to be resolved?

Was nothing probated? If your father died 'intestate'--no having a will--you need to check the state statutes for the state in which he was living at the time of his death, to see how that state treats inheritance matters.

Here in Florida, it is to the surviving spouse; if no spouse, then equally to the surviving children; if no children, then to surviving siblings of the deceadant, then down. If none of those exist, and a parent survives, then to goes back to that person.

Good luck.

[Minnymouth]

You might also check the account and see if your Dad carried insurance on the cc debt that would pay it off in the event of his death. Often many folks do that just in case.... Chase may be ignoring this fact and keeping the card open for you to use thus leaving you responsible for the balance.

Keep us posted.

[alironz]

Thank you for your advice. My father left no estate - not even enough to pay for funeral. I will follow your suggestions. Do you suggest I continue to make payments while waiting for this to be resolved?

[Flamingo]

I did not make myself clear. My Dad opened the account and also asked for a card in my name at a later date. I did use the account. When my Dad died I called Chase and they said this was a joint account. I asked for proof and received a reply that it was done over the phone. Since Chase insists it was a joint account they put my name as primary. When I call I get transferred to fraud, customer service and supervisor and they all insist I have to pay. I have in writing from them that this was done by my father over the phone. I never signed anything and believe I am authorized user.

You have the right to review the account information at any time. I also believe you are an authorized user and your father's estate is responsible for the balance. Who is the executor of your father's estate? This bill should have been given to them after your father's passing to be included in the estate paperwork. You may have a mess to clean up here but I think you can get it resolved. Go to the Chase corporate website and find out the location (adress) of corporate headquarters. Prepare a brief, detailed letter and address it to the President of Chase with a copy to their CFO in their finance department (send certified mail, return receipt requested). Include the account number and also enclose a copy of your father's short certificate if you have one. Explain you are getting nowhere on the phone, would like to view the history of this account and need to resolve this matter. Also send a copy to their main credit corresponce address. Hopefully those tactics will help get the answers you need. Best of luck to you!

[alironz]

Chase put the card in my name and it shows as individual account.