How to Avoid Being Overcharged for a Funeral

Quick Answer: To avoid funeral overcharges, consumers should compare prices since median costs reach $7,848 for burial and $6,970 for cremation, with cemetery fees adding thousands more. The Federal Trade Commission requires funeral homes to disclose prices, but cemeteries remain largely unregulated despite ongoing industry review efforts.For the funeral industry, the COVID-19 pandemic has meant …

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Stop Debt Calls for a Deceased Person

Part of the Debt After Death Hub: This post is one piece of my complete Debt After Death: Complete Guide — what you actually owe when a family member dies, how to stop collector harassment, joint account rules, community property state rules, and the filial responsibility laws collectors invoke to scare you. Quick Answer: To …

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Veteran Dying of Cancer: Is His Debt Worth It?

Quick Answer: A veteran’s wife facing his terminal cancer diagnosis should contact his retirement plan administrator to determine survivor benefits and explore Social Security survivor benefits, which may provide more than the $500 she estimates. Joint loan obligations typically don’t result in immediate bank account freezes, giving her time to prioritize essential expenses over unsecured …

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Life Insurance and Coronavirus: What to Know

Quick Answer: Life insurance policies cover deaths from COVID-19 and other pandemic illnesses, provided policyholders were truthful during application about travel plans and health exposure. The coronavirus outbreak primarily impacts new applicants, who may need to delay applications if planning travel to heavily affected countries.Life insurance offers financial protection for your loved ones in the …

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Student Loan Estate Planning: What It Means

Quick Answer: Student loan estate planning involves timing debt forgiveness strategically since federal loans are canceled upon death without burdening the estate, while forgiveness through income-based repayment plans creates taxable income. Over 7 million borrowers in IBRPs may face enormous tax bills when their loans are forgiven, making it potentially beneficial to extend repayment terms …

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Terminal Illness and Debt: What It Means for You

Quick Answer: When someone with terminal illness dies, creditors can only collect from the deceased’s estate, not from family members (unless there’s joint debt or community property laws apply). Filing bankruptcy before death can simplify affairs for survivors, but simply providing death certificates to creditors will typically end collection efforts if no assets exist.“Dear Steve,I …

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Spouse’s Medical Debt After Death: Myth vs Reality

Quick Answer: Surviving spouses are not responsible for deceased partners’ medical debts when there is no estate. Creditors can only collect from the deceased person’s estate, and sending certified death certificates with notification letters typically results in debt write-offs. “Dear Steve, My husband passed away in July. He didn’t have an estate or life insurance. …

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