Can credit card companies go after a person's children or spouse to collect if the cardholder dies?

[dalon]

My father-in-law has huge credit card debt (US$60,000). It's crazy. But anyway I am most worried if something happens to him, will the card companies be able to go after my wife (his daughter) or his wife (my mother-in-law) for debt collection? I am taking him to debt counselling soon but he's just a crazy spender (obviously). I need to protect my wife's and her family from her father's mistakes. What happens if he claims bankruptcy? Can they go after us as well? Please advise.