Can a son be held financially or legally responsible for his mother?
Full Question:
Can a son, who was not reared by his alcoholic mother and had no financial support from her -EVER- be held financially or legally responsible for her? She has been alcoholic since before he was born and is now completely out of control and hospitalized.
05/21/2007 |
Category: Husband and Wife |
State: Texas |
#5466
Answer:
Some states still have filial responsibility laws, but they are rarely used. Medicare rules generally prohibit hospitals from collecting from children. Since custodial nursing home care in an Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) is not covered by Medicare whereas therapeutic care in a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) is covered, perhaps they could be invoked more often, and parents who have not yet reached 65 can be at risk. Please see:
Fleming & Curti, PLC: Elder Law Issues, June 2, 2003; “Attempt to Force Children to Pay Father’s Hospital Bill Fails”
http://www.elder-law.com/2003/Issue1048.html
