As stated in an article on CNNMoney earlier this week, Debt after death: Banks chase down mourners – Sep. 1, 2011, creditors, especially credit card companies, are becoming increasingly aggressive in pursuing claims against decedents.  In the not so distant past it was common to be able to negotiate credit card debts against a decedents estate to pennies on the dollar.  With the struggles of the financial sector, one of the places the banks are looking to make up lost revenue is on debt of deceased customers.  The increased pressure on personal representatives of estates is making it more and more difficult to settle estates, especially those with little or no liquidity.  This adds just one more reason it is advisable to anyone, despite the size of their estate, to speak with an experienced estate planner to carefully craft a plan to fit their financial needs.  Nobody wants to burden their children/spouses with dealing with aggressive collection agencies.