I will be receiving a bit of cash here in the near term and cannot decide whether to pay off my existing credit card debt or invest in a rental property.

As for putting that money into REI, I'd take the free money first with matching and then see how I can deploy other funds to pay down the debt or see what kind of return I could make on my own.  

But if you only have a one or a couple of rentals your goal is not to spend any cash flow but plow into paying down the debt or saving all to buy more properties.

Somebody in that role has to be sure that any debts of the estate are paid and publication to debtors has to take place before inheritance us distributed. 

*IF* filed, even for business reasons, all debtors (including landlords) become participants and the lease is in jeopardy - - perphaps unenforceable.  

Is that going to be shared debt or just yours. 

@Casey Murray debt or mortgage assumption does not affect profit. 

Unlike the contingency type collection option that charges a percentage of any amount collected, you could use their flat fee option that charges a one-time fee of only $16.95 which covers a demand letter to the debtor/tenant (instructing them to pay you directly) and reporting of the debt to all three credit bureaus.  

Combine the cash and 1031 to reposition your portfolio how you'd like but do it without debt (or simply use the 450K to pay off select current portfolio if you're feeling defensive at all). - a diversification exchange.3.

Mechanic's liens can be effective if applied in the right way and the attorney handling them effectively applies pressure to the debtor.