Most debt actually can't be inherited, instead debt collectors get first dibs on inheritance assets until they're made whole or the estate runs out of assets, whichever comes first.
That doesn't mean that debt collectors won't try to convince family members to pay. Just tell them where they can shove it.
My dad did this. Was almost 70k in unsecured debt at the time of his death. I gave most everything away except his fishing stuff. He had so much shit.
Only one credit card company said “it’s good you are taking over the payments”. Told her I never agreed to that, just informing you of his death, and if they contact me again my Saul level lawyer is going to enjoy that lawsuit. Never heard from them.
Aw damn, I'm glad you knew better, that's downright predatory and should be illegal. You know there are people out there now paying their parents' credit card bills, thinking that that's just how things are. I hope that when those people find out, they are entitled to getting every penny back with interest.
And check your local inheritance laws. Some places will take pre-death gifts into account depending on how long the time between gift and death is. The UK, as an example, looks at gifts made up to 7 years before a person's death. It's messed up.