The debt is not relevant to the heirs. Any debt that can’t be settled by the estate is facing a bankrupt debtor. What matters to the heirs of the estate is whe

The debt is not relevant to the heirs. Any debt that can’t be settled by the estate is facing a bankrupt debtor. What matters to the heirs of the estate is whether there is an inheritance or not. That happens after debts are settled and contracts terminated. It is relevant to the executor of the estate, who may not be an heir (and in many jurisdictions, is prohibited from being an heir).