Are you the only benefiiary of the policy? Unless your name is on the credit cards/debts, you are not personally responsible, only the estate is. If there is not enough money in the estate to pay bills, then the estate is considered insolvent. Don't let anyone tell you differently. Creditors may try and tell that you are so they can get paid. If the parent has a house in his/her name, that is part of the estate.