Mom's in a Memory Care place, do I have to pay off her delinquent charge accounts?
We are paying moms bills in her condo until it is sold. Listing it soon. Should I pay off her 2 delinquent charges, approximately $6,000.00. Are the children responsible for this? If we choose not to pay of the account what can happen ?
BTW, I don't think Medicaid would have any problem with paying off debt. If she is on Medicaid now, however, you would want to consult with them about disposition of the money from the sale.
If I were in that position, I would use part of that money to pay off creditors, then put the rest toward her care. Is your mother or Medicaid or private pay? If she is on Medicaid, it would probably be considered in the spend-down process. If she is private pay, it will just be a little less money to work with. Many times when money runs out, elders have to apply for Medicaid for assistance. If you think that Medicaid may be in the future, you may want to check with them for advice on what to do. We also have some people well versed in Medicaid on the group. I hope they will have better advice. I do not want to steer you in a wrong direction if Medicaid is in your mother's future.
twin, you are not responsible for your mother's debt. They should be paid from her money. If there is no money and she is on Medicaid, the companies can put a claim on her estate. If there is any assets, creditors will be paid from that money. If there is no money, creditors have to take the loss. The children are not responsible for the debts parents owe on credit cards, etc.
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