Do I need an agreeable contract to care for a 99-year-old woman if her son cannot afford to care for her?

I agree with everyone that you should get legal advice and answers from your insurance company. A legal document shoudl be signed, witnessed and notarized. A Healthcare POA at mininum should be done immediately because of her age and if something happens and her son is not around, who makes the decisions? If he is around then perhaps you can have something written to the effect that you would be second in making any healthcare emergency decisions. I think because she is not a relative I may also contact social services and see what they say. I think overall you should be ok and i admire your willingness to take care of a non-relative.

Because it's not a relative you need Legal Advice at all times. It doesn't cost you that much a small fee and you have a real Lawyer give you advice, and you can call him for anything unlimited questions. You do need a lawyer on your side for other people relatives. I'm just speaking to you she in your home, and you taking care of her the son it not. You doing all the work and you have to make sure there no legal issues come upon you for taking care of his mother. The small fee is worth the money in your situation, and a law firm will be taking care of you with any legal questions for your protecting. You have to rely on the law to cover yourself, and you must be inform correctly. People can always change their minds without your better interest it happen everyday. Do not take this lightly this is the world we live in today, this for anybody taking care of non-relative.

Check with your local Area on Aging to get some info on what's best to protect you and your friend. No offense but legaladvise sounds like an ambulance chaser.

Lucy...for your situation you need legal council on call 24/7 day for keeping someone else in your home. I know two people can make a agreement, but you must keep it safe for your protecting. Again, you must protect yourself because if something happen you can get sued, loss your home. Things can get sticky when someone get injury or die.

Lucy, two competent adults can enter into a legal contract with a mere shake of the hands, but it is better to get it in writing. You say what you will provide and he says what he will pay. I would suggest to get a safety check done on your house and speak with your home insurance agent before doing this. If the lady was hurt in your house, there could be a lawsuit or worse. You want to make sure your house is safe for her and that you are covered if an accident occurs.