Follow
Share

He was a dead beat and we never spoke. He only paid child support when he felt like it. I live in new york and haven’t been with him since I was a minor. I recently got a call saying I was financially responsible for him. How can that be if he never cared for me? What is this Filial law?

That is a scam call.
You are not responsible for your father, either his care or his debts.
Feel free to continue to ignore the man and any calls about him

Filial laws are not enforced.
Do your research online to reassure yourself of this fact.

We get a lot of conspiracy things posted on AC all the time.
The two most common?
1. Hospice wants to kill you
2. Filial laws are a thing and will be enforced.

Neither is true. Hang up on this caller.
Helpful Answer (13)
Reply to AlvaDeer
Report

Scam, hang up, you are not responsible for him in any way.
Helpful Answer (10)
Reply to MeDolly
Report
BurntCaregiver Dec 14, 2024
Amen, to that.
(5)
Report
New York does not have filial responsibility laws, which require children to financially support their aging or ill parents. New York repealed its filial support law in 1966 to allow the state to receive Medicare benefits. 
Helpful Answer (7)
Reply to lealonnie1
Report

If your Dad called, ignore him and block him. If a Social Worker they are just trying to get someone to take over the responsibility. As an abandoned child you owe your Dad nothing. Tell the SW that and that you will not be supporting Dad. The State can take over his care. Once you say that hang the phone up and block the caller.
Helpful Answer (7)
Reply to JoAnn29
Report

It would be interesting to know who is it that called you: your dead-beat Dad? A social worker? Another family member? A roommate of his? A current wife? A facility?

Regardless: No, you are not responsible. Filial laws are archaic and it seems they are not applied even if they are still on the books.

Block whoever called you and go to bed with a clear conscience.
Helpful Answer (7)
Reply to Geaton777
Report

Block the number that the phone call came from and don't give it another thought. Someone is trying to push their own responsibility off onto you. Not your circus, not your monkeys.
Helpful Answer (7)
Reply to Fawnby
Report

You aren’t financially responsible for him.
Helpful Answer (6)
Reply to anonymous1784938
Report

No You are Not responsible for him .
Helpful Answer (5)
Reply to KNance72
Report

Some states had 'blue' laws on the books where adult children had to financially assist needy parents. They weren't enforced though. Filial laws for the most part were like town ordinances in the colonial times of old like no whistling on a Sunday.

You're in New York and Lealonnie is right in the comments. NY doesn't even have filial laws so you're good. You don't have to do anything.
Helpful Answer (3)
Reply to BurntCaregiver
Report

Please give us more information about this call. Did the person identify themselves? Where is father now? What state? It likely is a friend of father that is trying to scare you to give them money, I'd be very surprised if it were an actual social worker or lawyer.
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to mstrbill
Report

See All Answers
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter