My husband says he actually heard the answer to this on a radio show the other day. The answer given was this: As long as no one else’s names are on the credit card (or, I assume, the original application) only your father was responsible for his debt. Your mother should be okay. However, I don’t know if this varies from state to state. It would be wise to check with an acct. maybe or with the atty. handling your father’s estate - just to be on the safe side.