The title says it all really. A friend of ours just died quite suddenly and is in quite a lot of debt.

Is his wife now responsible for those debts?

The law section of TV is closed to questions so thought I'd try my luck here.

the wife has to pay for them, my MIL had this issue, her husband was involved in a car crash his fault, he had to pay, but he later died, she had to step forward and clear all this debts.

I don't know the answer, but it may pay to tell us what sort of debts, and if the debts legally documented and in whose name, and if any assets that have a debt against them are owned jointly or not.

A mortgage to a bank or an official car loan will be different to a loan from a friend, or an unpaid internet bill.

EDIT: Just found this really comprehensive link about death and wills etc in Thailand. http://www.bia.co.th/032.html

You can't get a mortgage or bank loan in Thailand without a life insurance to pay it off.

So what debts?

Normally Thais with large debts just transfer everything they own to a family member and let the person owed the money take a hike.

If it's a 'female friend' that needs financial help, find a new 'friend'.

I don't know the answer, but it may pay to tell us what sort of debts, and if the debts legally documented and in whose name, and if any assets that have a debt against them are owned jointly or not.

A mortgage to a bank or an official car loan will be different to a loan from a friend, or an unpaid internet bill.

EDIT: Just found this really comprehensive link about death and wills etc in Thailand. http://www.bia.co.th/032.html

Another question: are they legally married?

Quite common in Thailand to go through a local traditional ceremony but never go to the amphur office and register an official marriage.

Thanks for your help. Seems she is responsible for most things but lucky her husband had some insurance so she is ok