Debt of someone that has passed away

The debts of a deceased person should be paid from the estate of that person. If there is insufficient funds in the estate after all the assets are sold to cover all the debts then the secured debtors should be paid first and other debtors should be paid x cents in the dollar till the funds are exhausted.

The family of the deceased are under no obligation to pick up the tab of debts that are solely those of the deceased. Any joint debts become the debts of the surviving party.