Core Insights - June's parents are facing significant financial struggles, relying solely on Social Security benefits without retirement savings, and are burdened by nearly $70,000 in credit card and medical debt [1][2] Debt Management and Legal Implications - Ignoring debt collectors is not illegal, but it can lead to serious consequences, including potential lawsuits and court judgments against the debtor [3][4] - The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) advises against ignoring lawsuits, as judgments can result in wage garnishment and other financial penalties [4] Federal Benefits and Debt Collection - Federal benefits such as Social Security are generally protected from garnishment, with exceptions for delinquent taxes and child support [5] - For individuals like June's parents, the tools of debt collection are less likely to be applied due to their reliance on protected federal benefits [5] Inheritance of Debt - Individuals cannot inherit debt unless they are co-signers on loans or credit cards, providing some relief to heirs like June [6] - Debts are settled from the estate before distribution to heirs, with certain debts prioritized over others; if the estate is insolvent, remaining debts may be wiped out [7]