My mom live with me and my husband, she had LBD and Parkinson's. She has quit a few credit card bills that there is no way she can pay. Her only income is her SS check and she owns nothing at all. Her income goes for her meds, depends and other misc. she needs. When I get all that she usually has maybe 30-40 dollars left to her name. What I need to know am I responsible for her bills and can they come after me. I am getting letters from dept collectors to her coming and going. Thanks for any help.
If IRS has levied her SS payments for back taxes, ask the debt counselor is he/she handles IRS levies as well. You might be able to negotiate the amount downward. Attorneys do this for clients and save them from paying the entire amount of the levy.
Ask social services when you call if they can recommend IRS qualified negotiators.
On the debt issues, it may take some time to determine which are valid, but I assume you're also responding in writing to the debt collectors? If you don't respond pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the debts will be considered valid, even if they aren't.
I don't think IRS debts are dischargeable in bankruptcy, and I'm not sure how much credit cards debts could be due to some legislation that was passed during the Great Recession, but it might be a way out. Just something to consider.
Pam above has the right idea. Call a debt counselor through your senior services department. They'll help you more than you know.
An agreement with the creditors could effect a similar result. The debts would be capped, and paydown could begin rather than continuing to accrue interest.
I don't think that a nominal payment would ever pay off the debts, though.
As you pointed out, her mother's credit score isn't that important at this stage of life, so that might also suggest that indicating a willingness to pay is also unimportant.
I'm not challenging your statement; you raise some good points. And I do agree that debt counseling with a qualified individual would provide more insight into the options available so Kiki can be more comfortable about the situation.