A common misconception is that debt passes to whoever inherits your estate — in most cases, that's not how it works.
How it actually works
Debts are generally paid from your estate's assets before any remaining amount is distributed to heirs. Friends or beneficiaries typically aren't personally responsible for your debts simply by inheriting from you (with some exceptions, like joint accounts or cosigned loans).
If your estate has more debt than assets, it's worth discussing with an estate attorney how that affects your specific plans and beneficiaries.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Debt and estate rules vary by state.