Stepdad died. No will. No probate or small estate avadavat filed. Should I pay bills?
Stepdad lived in Oklahoma. I live In Texas.
I have paid off his credit card ($213.95). I contacted T-Mobile to cancel his internet and phone accounts but they wouldn't let me pay it off unless I was on the account. The process to have the account canceled was ridiculous and I told them I am not doing that and the rep said I shouldn't worry about it. I did drop off the modem at a local T-Mobile location and explained the situation to the rep there and even she said not to worry about. I contacted his insurance company to have all of his accounts closed and they said that no payment was required and was even offering to send me a refund which I declined because I didn't want them to have my address or personal info. Now I have a gas bill ($90.14), electric bill ($104.70), and a water bill ($50.94). Should I bother with these remaining bills? Are these amounts high enough for them to send to collections and then be hassled by them? My name and address is on the death certificate as the informant but I am not sure if debt collectors have access to a death certificate. His cremation was $3,000 and took all of what was left in his bank account. I am not on any of his accounts either if that matters. I have asked other people that were in a similar situation and they told me don't bother and even chided me for paying the bills I already have.
Edit: Ok, I will not pay anymore of his bills. Thanks for the advice and the downvotes, have a great day!