In a will can you state who is responsible for all you unpaid debts, for example I want to leave all debts I have to British Gas.. Can this be done.. Also at the same time I am leaving all assets to my girlfriend.
Most debts are taken out of your estate before it is divided between your beneficiaries. Asking British Gas to pay the remnants of a mortgage or other large debt, probably won't stand up
For example: If you own a house with a sizeable mortgage when you die and you leave your house to your g/f. She will be legally bound to pay off your mortgage, BUT most people will if there isn't enough cash in your estate simply sell the house thus paying off the mortgage and then retain the remainder.
of course they would, but they would only get the leftovers of the estate after the creditors have been paid
As others have said, it all comes out of your estate and if there's not enough to pay your creditors then it's too bad for them - nobody else will be burdened with your debts. http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/ManagingDebt/DebtsAndArrears/DG_10013093
I like the idea, there's a certain amount of ingenuity there but sadly no, you cannot leave your debts to anyone - you can leave them the proceeds of your estate but that's not quite the same thing.
