Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Florida

I was joint on my brothers bank accounts. He died in July 2013. I closed the money market account but left the checking account open to pay bills. I am getting medical bills for services he received. I paid 3 but I know there is still one for over $5000. He had no will, no estate, no heirs. Only these accounts (in Florida). I live in Michigan. Am I liable for his medical bills? Do I have to use the joint account money and pay his bills? These are above and beyond insurance/medicare.


Asked on 10/21/13, 9:51 am

3 Answers from Attorneys

David Slater David P. Slater, Esq.

1. No.

2. That depends on whose $ it was. If he made the deposits, you should be paying off his bills.

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Answered on 10/21/13, 11:05 am
Joseph Justice The Justice Law Firm

No, you are not responsible for his bills. If the account was jointly held, then the money in the account became yours at the time he passed.

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Answered on 10/21/13, 2:29 pm

As long as he is the only one on the promissory note to pay the bills, you are not responsible for paying the bill. Creditors would need to collect through his estate through the probate process. If there is no probate simply let them know that.

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Answered on 10/21/13, 5:02 pm


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