Heinemann v. Arthur's Executors was a United States Supreme Court case in which the Court held that a creditor's right to collect a debt is not affected by the death of the debtor. The case arose when the executors of the estate of a deceased debtor refused to pay a debt owed to the plaintiff. The plaintiff argued that the executors were liable for the debt, as the debt had been incurred prior to the debtor's death. The executors argued that the debt was extinguished upon the debtor's death. The Supreme Court held that the executors were liable for the debt, as the debt had been incurred prior to the debtor's death. The Court reasoned that the executors were liable for the debt because the debt was not extinguished upon the debtor's death. The Court noted that the executors were not personally liable for the debt, but were liable as representatives of the estate. The Court also noted that the executors were not liable for any interest that had accrued on the debt prior to the debtor's death. In conclusion, the Supreme Court held that the executors of the estate of a deceased debtor were liable for a debt that had been incurred prior to the debtor's death. The Court noted that the executors were not personally liable for the debt, but were liable as representatives of the estate. The Court also noted that the executors were not liable for any interest that had accrued on the debt prior to the debtor's death.

In the case of Heinemann v. Arthur's Executors, the Supreme Court was asked to decide whether a creditor could bring an action against a debtor’s estate for debt after the death of said debtor. The majority opinion held that such actions were not allowed under existing law and thus denied recovery to Heinemann, who had brought suit against Arthur’s executors in order to recover money owed by Arthur prior to his death. Justice Field dissented from this decision on two grounds: firstly, he argued that there was no legal basis for denying creditors their right of action; secondly, he maintained that it would be unjust and inequitable if creditors were unable to collect debts due them from deceased debtors' estates. In conclusion, Justice Field believed that allowing creditors like Heinemann access to deceased debtors' estates would be both legally sound and equitable given the circumstances at hand.