As a general rule, if your name is not on the loan as a responsible party, then you are not personally responsible for the loan or any of the fees and expenses. There are, however, exceptions to every general rule that may apply in your situation -- but not likely.
The standard procedure for a defaulted car loan is that once the lender repossesses the car, the lender must give notice to the borrower of his or her right of redemption before the car can be sold "in a commercially reasonable manner." If there is a balance still owed, the lender can seek a deficiency claim against the borrower which could be a law suit. If your husband has passed away, the lender could seek a claim against his estate, if there is an estate. If there are no assets which were owned by your husband alone, then the lender will have no way to collect the deficiency.
The letter you got was probably addressed to your husband. If it was addressed to you and you were not on the loan, you should advise the lender that they have made a mistake and that you are not responsible for the loan. I recommend you send a letter, and keep a copy. If the lender then tries to collect the debt against you afterwards, you should contact an attorney who knows about the Florida Consumer Collections Practices Act to consider a claim against the lender for Creditor Harassment.
Answered on Mar 24th, 2014 at 3:46 PM