let’s start with some questions…

What is the nature of the debt? CC? Something else? How much?  Date of event?

was it a joint account? If CC, did she use his card after he passed?   Sounds a bit strange that 1041s would be filed for income in an estate when there’s a surviving spouse and kids…. 

somehow i think there’s a bit more to the story….stiffing a credit card company is one thing… I’d want to find out a bit more before i prepared the return or offered any thoughts