Pioneer American Insurance Company, Waco, Texas 76703-0204 RE: Salvatore V. Balistreri Deceased They made up a report so they did not have to pay me the death benifiet of $5000. the policy we took out to cover his expences Reno Nevada

Sorry for your loss. Please don't take this as encouragement to cheat people. I'm proffering this as a possible help because legally it is an option. The funeral, yes, you're on the hook for, at least up front. I advise going after the insurer with whatever government agency in your state regulates them and, if they are BBB accredited, which likely they are, complaining on the BBB website page dedicated to them, because accredited companies and even non accredited if they enjoy a high rating above a C, have to be responsive to complaints to keep those statuses.

Given the amount of the denied benefit, go after them in small claims too.

You might even find a receptive "action/on your side" TV reporter you can contact who just might take your case on the air to shame them and get you resolution. They love sympathetic subjects.

Now the bills you've been left with! You DO NOT HAVE TO PAY anything UNSECURED that was solely in your husband's name, unless you were a cosigner. Even if you were just an authorized user, say on a credit card, if the bills went solely to him chances are you have no liability to pay any charges predating his death.

UNSECURED means credit cards for the most part, but also medical bills etc, unless you authorized or signed for the services, money owed that is not tied to collateral.

Bills you do need to pay obviously are mortgages, car payments, anything that was secured by property you don't want repossessed.

If you're not sure what bills you can safely not pay, find someone trustworthy who can advise you, as laws may vary state to state.

Generally if someone dies without probate assets, just telling his creditors that he's passed, giving them proof when required and has left nothing to pay with, they will simply write off the charges. They ought not be able to come after you to pay them.

And of course monthly utilities, etc, your own sustenance, are on you.

Make sure you get proper spousal survivor Social Security payouts. I believe you get a small death benefit of a few hundred from them too.