Are we morally obligated to pay the debts of the deceased?

Before my mother passed away it was her intent that her debts pass away with her. After my mother died I helped my father resolve my mother's debt and he paid it off, as he felt it was his moral responsibility to do.

My older sister just passed a way recently and, like money always does, problems arise. Now a question came up. My sister's estate was under the amount required by law for probate, therefore her funds were evenly disbursed between us three surviving siblings. My youngest sister asked about splitting up her debt and paying it.

I would agree to split any expenses after her death, funeral, etc... and pay off rent, hospital, gas etc...closing accounts, but I would not pay a dime to any credit cards or banks.

My explanation: Not a borrower nor a lender be. [Edit: That is from Shakespeare not God and was my error] I do not borrow money, in fact I try to remain debt free as ordered by not a borrower nor a lender be. For me to pay a lender when I don't legally have to (she had under minimum required) I almost consider a sin. I will have no part in other's borrowing and lending.

It is my understanding that if someone has little money left, under 150k, they would just let the survivors have it and not pass on the debt, and I agree with that legally and moralistically.

I told my sister that for someone who ignored the order not to borrow or lend, good luck with that.

Opinions?

Edit: Conclusion is I was wrong, not a borrower nor lender be is Shakespeare,not God. The credit card debts should be paid from my sister's estate. However, since my younger sister is the executor and took off with the majority of the money, in this case I am not morally or legally obligated to pay.

Paidiske said:

Is it fair to the person/organisation owed the money, that they should lose because someone died?

I think there is an obligation to pay the debt. It seems like theft to refuse.

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Consider, if a their lived by stealing from my sister every week and she dies so he didn't get to steal the money that week should he be paid for that week?

Now, how is making money in a way God said not to any different than theft, and is fact, isn't that why God said don't do it? Usuary is wrong.

Paidiske said:

Is it fair to the person/organisation owed the money, that they should lose because someone died?

I think there is an obligation to pay the debt. It seems like theft to refuse.

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God pretty much says it is theft to charge usary. You are claiming it s theft not to pay it. Ceasar has already said I do not have to pay it. God says my sister shouldn't of had these debts in the first place.

How can it be theft no to pay a theif?

Chosen_and_blessed said:

As you thoroughly disagree with the lifestyle led by your sister in borrowing money, perhaps you shouldn't take any of her money. Let the money be divided between your other siblings and let them make the decision regarding which debts to pay.

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Proverbs 13:22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

Ecclesiastes 2:26 For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

Proverbs 28:8 Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit gathers it for him who is generous to the poor.

It would be disrespectful to God to refuse the money He has worked to give me. When I get the money 10% goes to God, 10% goes to the poor. If I do not take the money it remains in the hands of the unrightous.

That being said, I was originally going to refuse the money because of another siblings greed. But then I was going to share it with my two sons, so that portion is theirs, I can not give away someone else's money. I am paying 20% to God and the poor, that is money that is not mine, it is God's and the poor's. Mine is only 33% of 80%.

Now, given that some of this money s God's me me rephrase the question: Is it proper to take money that should go to the poor and God and use some to pay money lenders?