Despite a written commitment, a debtor may wriggle out of the amount he owes, or plainly refuse to repay, if he does not have the intention of honouring his word. Allah is with the borrower until he clears his debt, provided the debt is not incurred for purposes not liked by Allah. This was at a time when Muslims were very poor. But if you owe any debt that will not be remitted. The soul of a deceased person is held up until the debt is paid off.
Debt is the first charge on the bequest of the deceased.
This is an injunction from Allah and Allah is All-Knowing, Forbearing. If for any reason a debt remains outstanding, there will be a hard reckoning in the hereafter. Sa'd Al Atwal reports that his brother died and left behind minor children. He also left one third of one hundred dinars which he wanted to spend on his brother's children. Buy a camel and give it to him.