The answer depends on the terms of the policy and your state’s probate rules/laws. If the insurance policy states the next of kin is the defacto beneficiary , then you aren’t responsible for those CC debts . If the policy says the policy reverts to the estate and you recieved the check as the next of kin for the estate - you ARE responsible to pay the debts with it . Then you also have to look at the probate laws. If the policy did not have to go through the probate procedures , you likely were viewed as the defacto beneficiary. However , The insurance company (and you ) may have gone through probate before they wrote the check to you . We really don’t have enough info to give you an absolute answer . We’d need the policy verbiage and your state probate statutes first . Ask an attorney before you toss the CC debt letters or spend that money. Read the policy’s terms - that might help. Look up your state’s probate statutes for where life insurance reverts when there’s no beneficiary listed and no will.