Estate claims

I was told that all states have specific laws designed to protect the surviving spouses from being left destitute if the deceased spouse leaves a debt ridden estate. The creditors should be sending you legal papers making the claim and a case will be pending in the court.

Basically what you are describing is the probate process.During this process,all parties are put on notice that after such and such date,your claims are null and void. Some lawyers do it in office and some do it at court hearing depending on how complex it gets.

If you can find some of her personal effects it may give you a clue who they are. If you had a power of attorney over her,you could order her credit report.