Families face a number of challenges when a loved one dies. The last thing a grieving family member needs is to be bombarded with calls from creditors trying to collect the debts of the deceased relative. It happens, nonetheless. Fortunately, the obligation of repayment generally does not extend to the deceased debtor’s family members. Instead, the debts become the responsibility of the debtor’s estate. If an estate has more debt than it does assets, the creditors simply lose out. In Maine, there are two specific circumstances in which this general rule does not apply. First, if a family member was jointly liable on a debt during the deceased debtor’s lifetime (e.g., the family member was a joint card holder or co-signed an obligation), that family member will be responsible for that specific debt after the deceased debtor’s death. Second, if the person legally responsible for settling the decedent’s estate does so improperly, that person may be liable to any creditors who are injured by the improper action. If a family member is receiving calls from creditors trying to collect debt…