What Happens to an Authorized User When the Primary Cardholder Dies?
This guide explains an authorized user’s liability, what happens to the account, and how it can affect their credit.
The authorized user is not liable
An authorized user was never responsible for the debt, and that does not change when the primary cardholder dies. The balance becomes a matter for the estate, handled the same way as other credit card debt at death. The authorized user does not inherit the balance simply for having been on the card.
What happens to the account
Once the issuer learns the primary cardholder has died, the account is typically closed, and any authorized user cards stop working. The authorized user should stop using the card right away, since continuing to charge on a deceased person’s account can create real problems. Points and benefits tied to the account follow the same fate as points when the holder dies.
The effect on the user’s credit
Because the account often reported on the authorized user’s credit file, its closure can affect their score, particularly if it was an old account with a high limit and perfect history that made up a large part of their file. This is the same dependence discussed in removing an authorized user. The lesson is to build independent credit, a card in their own name, so their profile does not rest on someone else’s account.
- An authorized user is not liable for the balance.
- The estate is responsible for the debt.
- The account is usually closed after the primary dies.
- The authorized user must stop using the card.
- Their credit can dip if that account was a major positive.
Frequently asked questions
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